Police Investigate Burning of Migrant-Boat Effigy in Northern Ireland as a Hate Crime
A boat containing life-size mannequins wearing life jackets was set on top of a tower of wooden pallets in Moygashel, County Tyrone, above banners reading 'stop the boats' and 'veterans before refugees.'
The bonfire was set alight in front of a large crowd on Thursday night as part of wider events marking the start of Twelfth of July, which commemorates the 1690 victory by a Protestant king, William III, over a Catholic king, James II.
For more than a century, members of the Protestant community have taken part in annual marches and parades around July 12. During the Troubles, the sectarian conflict between Catholic and Protestant communities, 'marching season' was a source of tension and, at times, violence. While the marches have become less fraught in recent years, the bonfires remain a source of concern to police, some of whom fear they can stoke lawlessness.
A statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland said they had received several calls about the fire and the 'material that has been placed upon it,' which was being investigated as a 'hate incident.'
The force said that officers were working to 'help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe,' but cautioned that they can 'only do so within the legislative framework that exists.'
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