Share Your Thoughts - Northern Ireland

TASK

Study both these sources.

You are a commentator following the situation in Belfast.

Write a short commentary reflecting your views on the above situation with close reference to whether the situation in Northern Ireland has changed over the years. Support your answer with relevant evidence(s). You may refer to your notes on Northern Ireland to complete this task.

Duration/Things to note

You have 20 minutes to complete this assignment in class. Post your comments by clicking on the word 'comment' below. Your commentary should not be more than 100 words and should be concise.

You are also invited to critique on your peer's comments. Kindly ensure that you refer to your handout and use it as a checklist for your comments on the source as well as your critique on your peer's comments.

You may click on the image in Source 2 for a bigger view.

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Source 1:

Sectarian rioting rocks Belfast for second straight night

Northern Ireland

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-21/world/northern.ireland.riots_1_short-strand-protestant-ulster-volunteer-force?_s=PM:WORLD
  
June 21, 2011|From Peter Taggert, For CNN

The Irish republican party Sinn Fein said up to 100 masked men raided Catholic-owned homes in the Short Strand neighborhood after allegations by unionist politicians that Protestant homes were attacked Sunday. Police had no information on any of Sunday's reported attacks. Sinn Fein blamed the attacks on Catholics on members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, a loyalist paramilitary group that officially disarmed in 2009. Police had no immediate comment on the assertion. 

After a long period of quiet in its ongoing "Troubles" between Catholics and Protestants, Northern Ireland has seen a resurgence of violence in recent months. Tensions also are typically elevated in early summer, when Protestant groups hold commemorative marches to celebrate the 17th century victory of England's King William III over his Catholic predecessor, James II.

"We would appeal to anyone with any influence to continue to work with police to tackle these issues which are damaging for the whole community," Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said Tuesday in a statement. "This is an issue that cannot be addressed by police alone."

Source 2:

Below is a political cartoon adapted from Martyn Turner's collection of humorous "Troubles" cartoons, Pack Up Your Troubles: 25 Years of Northern Ireland Cartoons. In April 1994, there was a three-day ceasefire from 6^th April 1994 to 8^th April 1994. Five months later, on Wednesday 31 August 1994, the Provisional IRA announced a "cessation of military operations", the IRA accepted a permanent ceasefire but many unionists were sceptical. In 1996, US senator George Mitchell, proposed that disarmament should begin but this led to a stalling of the talks and the IRA broke its cease fire and violence resumed. In July 1997 the IRA announced the cease fire. After months of discussion a settlement is reached on Good Friday 1998.

Source:
Pack Up Your Troubles: 25 Years of Northern Ireland Cartoons by Martyn Turner (1995)