Darren Guy, Ulster Unionist Councillor for the Waterside area of Londonderry, has condemned those who burned poppy wreaths, images of the Queen, Northern Ireland supporters` flags and an effigy resemblant to a member of the Orange Order, on bonfires in parts of Londonderry over the weekend.
Councillor Guy said:
“Burning poppy wreaths on a bonfire at any time is absolutely despicable. And to do it on the anniversary of VJ Day which marked the end to hostilities in the Second World War which delivered us freedom from fascism, is reaching a new low, even for militant republicanism. Maybe if they started educating themselves about the men from across these islands who went off to defend our countries against the evil fascism of Adolf Hitler in Europe and the Imperial Japanese Army in the Far East, they would appreciate the sacrifices they made.
“To further emphasise their hatred of all things British, those filled with sectarian hatred also burned images of the Queen, Northern Ireland supporters` flags and an effigy resembling a member of the Orange Order. There`s absolutely no excuse for it.
“There are those within the republican community who seem determined to recycle sectarian hatreds of the past and drag Northern Ireland backwards. We shouldn`t let them and instead we must seek to build a better society in Northern Ireland based on the freedoms won for us by those who gave their lives in the Second World War.”