UVF terror mural 'an insult to all who wear poppy'

A UVF mural depicting scenes from the First World War, poppies and a masked terrorist is an "insult" to all who wear the remembrance symbol, an SDLP MLA has said.

The mural at Nelson Drive in the Waterside in Derry shows Edward Carson, the Ulster Covenant and scenes from the Great War.

It also shows the Maze Prison, a masked loyalist terrorist pointing a gun above a sign for the PUP and a logo for the ACT Initiative.

All are surrounded by poppies.

The work was erected under a sign reading 'Londonderry Company UVF' and above a memorial stone erected by the terror group in memory of 'our fallen comrades from the Nelson Drive Flute Band'.

Mark H Durkan said the mural "glorified terrorism" and was an "insult to those who wear a poppy".

Although the mural has been in place for several months, a large section of it that included the gunman has recently been taken down for repairs.

The move came after republican group Saoradh posted a comment on social media pointing out that the "representation of a 'UVF' man is actually taken from a famous picture of an IRA Volunteer", and that the artists "just added a loyalist badge to his mask".

Leslie Mitchell is a co-ordinator with the ACT Initiative in Derry, a conflict transformation project that "supports the reintegration of former combatants on their journey from conflict to peace".

He said that although his organisation was not behind the mural, he felt it sent out a "very positive message".

"The mural charts the journey of loyalism from conflict right back to the 36th Ulster Division, who were involved in World War One right through to the conflict," he said.

"You have the prison there. There is a hooded gunman on the mural, but that gunman is a reflection of the conflict.

"The mural clearly explains where our brand of loyalism comes from - from World War One to the prisons to the conflict and violence, a more political direction with the PUP and the conflict transformation, where it is at the moment.

"We believe it is a very, very positive message.

"It's certainly not a glorification of violence or certainly not where loyalism is today.

"Loyalism is very clear where it is. The hooded gunman is to explain where we've been as loyalists and where we're going to. We believe that it's very pragmatic and it's a very progressive message to send out."

Mr Mitchell said ACT had "nothing to do with the erection of the mural" despite the fact that its logo is on it, rather it was local loyalist activists who funded and painted the work themselves.

"The mural is very clear," he added.

"There's actually a sign about what the mural is about and who erected it.

"It is nothing to do with the ACT Initiative and it wasn't funded by any organisation.

"It was funded by the local community.

"There was no public money involved in it.

"It is in a predominantly loyalist community and it's not about terrorism or paramilitarism or anything like that. We believe it is sending out a very positive message that loyalism has moved on from the conflict. It is not about paramilitarism anymore. It's about where we are going now."

He said accepted some people might be offended, but that the mural was about "not forgetting the past".

"I can understand why people might see a different view on it," he said. "But my view is that what happened in the province during the conflict shouldn't be forgotten.

"It is not about commemorating violence or paramilitarism. It's about a part of our lives that happened and affected most of us.

"And with that mural we are sending out a clear message that we have moved on, loyalism has moved on and we are going in a very positive direction.

"Part of the mural has been taken down for repairs. But that section will go back up and there will still be a gunman on it."

But Mr Durkan insisted: "This is sadly indicative of elements ratcheting up tensions and division between communities through the glorification of terrorism.

"This is also an insult to those who wear a poppy as a symbol to remember those who lost their lives fighting for their country.

"It is equating their bravery with the actions of masked terrorists whose modus operandi was the butchering of innocent Catholics, and is still intimidation of their own community through criminality."

The DUP's David Ramsey said that lessons must be learnt from the past.

"The DUP is opposed to all forms of terrorism and violence," he said.

"We must ensure that every effort is made to encourage all of our communities to pursue solely democratic and peaceful means.

"We must continue to move forward and build on the peace we have enjoyed in recent years.

"We must learn of the past but not repeat it."

Belfast Telegraph