After a beautiful Twelfth day in Rasharkin which was enjoyed by all communities the Independent Orange District were saddened but not surprised by the most recent hate crime aimed at our parade and presence in the village. For decades elements often from outside the village have engaged in sectarian attacks on the minority Protestant Community and the culture. The local Orange Hall  is often the target but the message daubed on the walls was clearly aimed at the Independent Loyal Orange Institution and its recent Twelfth and festival in the village.

The writing is on the wall for this hate fuelled republican criminality as we have a meeting scheduled with the local Police Commander to press for action both to prevent such hate crimes but also to prosecute those involved. The sheer bigotry and hate which would lead certain individuals to break into the property of others and vandalise it speaks volumes about the sectarian nature of Irish republicanism. It only proves to any unionist what their treatment would be like in a United Ireland. If Republicans cannot even share a village for a few hours how can their claims and promises about a Shared Ireland or island even be trusted!

Our Twelfth and the supporting Faith and Freedom 250 festival brought a fortnight of events, entertainment and education to Rasharkin and the wider North Antrim area. Its focus was on the Protestant, Orange and Ulster Scots contribution to American Independence and the shared Faith Freedom and Foundations we have. It showcased the very best of our culture and heritage and how it helped build a nation – this is the positive world changing contribution of our community and its culture. It stands in stark contrast to backward, bigoted and benighted heritage of Irish nationalism and republicanism. Our festival and Twelfth were open to all, completed in the sunshine, their response was a cowardly criminal attack perpetrated from the shadows under the cover of darkness.

In a statement issued after the attack the ILOI said –

The Independent Orange Institution held its annual 12th Demonstration in the Village of Rasharkin this year. The Village was decorated early on the morning of the annual parade to commemorate the victory at the Battle of the Boyne and following what was an enjoyable and trouble-free July demonstration, the Loyal Order removed all the festival decorations from the Village the same day.

We are therefore saddened, alarmed and disappointed,  that whilst we encourage religious tolerance, liberty and freedom of expression for all, there are those within the Village who do not show the same respect and do not hold the same values.

We refer to the graffiti that was daubed on the Orange Hall in Rasharkin in the early hours of Tuesday 14th July.

This act of pure vandalism, displays the intolerance and contempt exhibited by a handful of thugs  towards our Orange Culture and Protestant.

Imperial Grand Master Phil Moffatt said

 

“The daubing of graffiti in support of the heinous killers of the IRA is nothing less than a sectarian hate crime against Orangeism. It is a wilful premeditated attack upon our culture, our faith and our traditional values which is unacceptable”

“We lend our unwavering support to the  Orange brethren of the Rasharkin Lodge who have once again fallen victim to the perpetrators of hate within the area“

“ Its time for the First Minster to condemn unreservedly this act of hate against our community and culture without delay.

“ I call upon her to denounce this sectarian hate crime and to encourage the republican community to forward information regarding who was responsible to the PSNI. We will not hold our breath awaiting her response of course, as the Minister of “no alternative” has previously shown us where her loyalties lie ”

We reaffirm our support for the Orange brethren of the Rasharkin Lodge and commend you for holding fast the cause of Orangeism in the face of such unacceptable provocation. No amount of paint will erase our identity, our faith or the values that we embrace “