POLICE in Co Armagh have said they are investigating incidents which happened during a pro-Palestinian protest at a council-owned property as a hate crime.
The demonstration at Armagh Palace on Tuesday evening was held after members of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council voted to light up buildings owned by the local authority in the colours of the Israeli flag.
The DUP motion, which was passed in October with a majority of just one vote, was made to express “support and solidarity” with Israel following the Hamas attacks on October 7 in which around 1,200 people were killed.
Since then, Israeli strikes in Gaza are understood to have killed over 18,000 people.
Buildings owned by the council were lit up in blue and white on Tuesday, and will remain lit for seven days as per the motion, which had been opposed by Sinn Féin, SDLP, and Alliance councillors.
Protestors gathered at Armagh Palace on Tuesday to oppose the lighting and a Palestinian flag was raised on a flagpole at the site.
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It was reported to police that three covers from the lights were removed.
Armagh DUP councillor Scott Armstrong condemned incidents during the protest as a “disgrace”, adding: “I expect a full and rigorous investigation of this matter by the PSNI and our council chief executive.”
A pro-Palestinian protest was also held at Craigavon Civic Centre, which was also lit up, and Mr Armstrong claimed DUP councillors were “verbally abused” while attending a committee meeting in the building.
Sinn Féin councillor Mary O’Dowd, who attended the Craigavon gathering, said in a social media post afterwards: “We stood tonight to send a clear signal, that the people stand in solidarity with the men, women and children of Palestine.
“That we do not support the illegal and immoral occupation and bombardment of innocent civilians by Israel. That we condemn the killing of civilians on any side in this conflict, and that the lighting up of the building tonight is not in the name of the people of this area.”
A PSNI spokesperson said police received a report that three people were observed removing the light covers at Armagh Palace before making off in a blue vehicle, and said a flag and posters were left in the area.
“This is being investigated as a hate crime,” inspector Gary McCullough said.
“The right to protest in public is a human right enshrined in law. The police service will continue to facilitate such lawful freedom of expression however it must be stressed that this freedom does not nor should it protect statements, actions or written material that discriminate against, harass or incite hatred or violence against anyone, particularly on the basis of their race, religious belief, gender identity or sexual orientation.”
A pro-Palestinian protest was held on Wednesday evening at Banbridge Civic Building.
