Organisers of a Palestine solidarity march in County Down have described a counter-protest as “racist, xenophobic, sectarian” – scenes that saw Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson defend one of his MPs who stood beside masked men. Robinson praised Carla Lockhart after she was pictured at the protest in Scarva, saying it was “entirely appropriate” for DUP politicians to be there. Lockhart, who rejected criticism, said she and 10 other politicians attended “to de-escalate” a “very volatile situation”. But Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard, who represents the area, accused Lockhart of acting as a “political shield for thugs”.
The Great March for Gaza, organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, saw about 1,500 pro-Palestine marchers walk along a canal towpath from Lurgan to Newry on Saturday morning. Organisers said the march was “peaceful, dignified and disciplined throughout” until it was “blocked and delayed for over 45 minutes while counter protesters shouted abuse at participants”. They added that marchers were “forced to proceed through slurry spread on the road, creating an unnecessary hazard and a degrading experience for peaceful participants”.
“DUP leader Gavin Robinson defends MP Carla Lockhart who stood with masked men at a counter-demonstration described as racist and xenophobic.”
Robinson, speaking to the media on Monday, accused the Police Service of Northern Ireland of “blocking the ability of people to peacefully protest” and “frustrating” the decision of the Parades Commission. He said his colleagues had ensured a “difficult situation didn’t spiral out of control”. He dismissed criticism from political opponents as “pearl clutching and hypocrisy from people who should know better”. However, when asked about reports of journalists being intimidated, Robinson said he condemned “violence and intimidation” and that no-one should be “masked up”.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “An appropriate and proportionate policing operation was implemented to maintain public safety during a notified parade and protest.” Séamus Dooley, assistant general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said the union was “concerned to learn of intimidatory behaviour towards members of the media” covering the protest. “This was a significant public event and journalists have a right to report without intimidation,” he said. Robinson earlier hit out at online comments directed at Lockhart, saying: “She stood with the community of Scarva.”
Organisers of the march said it is “regrettable that some political representatives appear more interested in manufacturing a narrative of victimhood than acknowledging the conduct witnessed on the ground”.