All paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland must disband and the problem of sectarianism be deplored, tens of thousands of people attending trade union peace rallies in Northern Ireland were told today.
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A union member at the mass rally outside Belfast City Hall Photo: Reuters
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A resolution read at protests staged by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions against recent loyalist death threats to postal workers and Catholic teachers affirmed "total opposition to all sectarian activity of whatever nature."
"No-one has the right to engage in this activity or claim it to be on behalf of any section of our community or in defence of its rights," it said.
The statement affirmed in rallies staged in Belfast, Derry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Newry, Cookstown and Strabane expressed revulsion "at any form of bigotry or sectarianism which has led to murder, violence or acts of intimidation. We have suffered from these evil characteristics for more than three decades now.
"Therefore, we call on all those engaged in acts of sectarianism or paramilitary activity to stop. In particular, we call on paramilitary organisations to disband now.
"The end of sectarianism combined with the dissolution of paramilitary organisations will allow all of us to pursue the goals of an equal, peaceful society linked to prosperity and jobs wherein dignity and respect are shown to all and shared by all, irrespective of political or religious differences."
Thousands of people across Northern Ireland have stopped work today in protest at sectarian violence and threats.
Businesses, public services and schools closed as workers attend the rallies organised by the trade unions in the wake of the sectarian murder of Catholic postal worker Daniel McColgan and death threats against his colleagues and teachers in Catholic schools.
The apparent lifting of the loyalist threats by the Red Hand Defenders on Wednesday night has done nothing to dent the desire to make a major public show of solidarity telling such groups "enough is enough".
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Dr John Reid: called for an "extraordinary unity of purpose"
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The group withdrew the threats after they were condemned by the UFF. However the two groups are believed to be one and the same.
Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid earlier urged people to join the protests and said he was allowing his 3,500 departmental staff in the Northern Ireland Office to attend. He said there was a need for an "extraordinary unity of purpose" following the murder of postman Daniel McColgan and the threats against his colleagues and teachers.
Many employers, including the head of the Civil Service, have said that while they support the lunchtime protest, they cannot endorse the call for a total work stoppage between noon and midnight.
Public transport has been heavily hit. Train services have shut down until 2 p.m. and bus services have been heavily cut. Banks warned customers to expect a restricted service. Services between the Republic and the North have also been affected.
Teachers at the heart of the protest and many schools were expected to close for the day, others to send their pupils home early.
PA