Move At Your Own Risk

There is pressure to remove the Tiger’s Bay bonfire in Adam Street because it is built on Department Of Infrastructure land next to the Duncairn Gardens “peace” line and has been the site of anti-social behaviour such as golf balls being hit into the New Lodge (Irish News | BelTel). In response comes the message: “Move at your own risk – FTPSNI”.

A bonfire on the Comber Greenway (next to the Stranger Kings murals) was removed late Saturday night (BelTel | Belfast Live).

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This Parliament On Irish Soil

On June 22nd, 1921, the parliament of Northern Ireland was opened by George V at Belfast’s City Hall. In his address to the assembled dignitaries, he said “I have … come in person, as the head of the Empire, to inaugurate this parliament on Irish soil. I inaugurate it with deep felt hope and I feel assured that you will do your utmost to make it an instrument of happiness and good government for all parts of the community which you represent. This is a great and critical occasion in the history of the Six Counties … I pray that My coming to Ireland to-day may prove to be the first step towards an end of strife amongst [Ireland’s] people, whatever their race or creed.” “Partition has failed” to answer his prayer.

Above: the latest message on Slıabh Dubh; below: the mountain from the bonfire pallets collected on the Highfield estate.

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Home Is Where …

The lion (England) and the unicorn (Scotland) … and the Scottie dog … heraldic supporters of the United Kingdom’s and Northern Ireland’s coat of arms, in this the centenary year of the state. “Home is where someone runs to greet you.”

See previously: 100 Years | Happy Birthday, Northern Ireland | The Centenary Of Oppression

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Woodvale OK

“#ItsOKToTalk” “This art project was completed as part of Alternative – Safer Areas For Everyone (SAFE) project. The young people involved identified mental health as the theme for their art project and incorporated positive mental health messages & support numbers to highlight the issue. The group also identified the “Steps” area as the location for the art work, to help brighten up the area which had become unsightly, neglected and a focus for anti-social behaviour. This project also engaged with the residents through door to door surveys, provided information leaflets on support services and organised community clean ups to help improve community pride & spirit in the area. Special thanks to Jamie, Dylan, Kyle, Corey and Mason who showed positive leadership in their community, to street artist Emic & Sam from Signlink for the art work & graphics and to the local residents and young people who were involved in the clean ups. SAFE Shankill is supported by the The Executive Office through Communities In Transition programme.”

For the steps, see Steps To Mental Health

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Steps To Mental Health

Five steps to mental health – give, connect, be active, take notice, keep learning – and affirmations to live by – “This is me”, “You’re a superstar”, “I am what I am”, and “Simply the best“. Part of the Shankill SAFE (Safer Areas For Everyone – see the tarp below) project in the Woodvale, with support from Alternatives and the Communities In Transition programme.

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Deserted! Well, We Can Stand Alone

The well-known anti-Home Rule slogan used previously in various PUL murals (see Together We Stand Alone (2010), Female Guardians (2005), Deserted! Well I Can Stand Alone (2004), How Is Freedom Measured? (1989) and Deserted! Well – I Can Stand Alone (1988)) to express a sense of abandonment by Britain and fear of (what would initially be) “Southern Ireland” is found fitting for the present situation, in which Britain – by means of the NI Protocol – is abandoning Northern Ireland to Europe. “No surrender!”

For contrast, the shot below includes the Kitchener’s Own mural to the left: Britain Wants You!

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