Belfast Graffiti: Protest or Threat?

By Chloe Jacob

In multiple streets, across the city of Belfast, walls are adorned in murals that span across their entirety – enriched with historical messages, imagery and meaning far beyond what the eye can see. These murals often nod implicitly or explicitly to the decades of civil war and terrorism that reigned in Northern Ireland. Some are made in memorial of the fights, other to glorify the victories obtained throughout the years of sordid history, but nonetheless these murals have become a staple in our remembrance of our history – for better or for worse. But what happens when these murals, displays of artistic graffiti, shift from remembrance to a continuation of sectarianism in the modern day. When beautifully crafted images turn to loosely veiled threats. How far can the definition of artistic display be pushed?

In early October of this year, the demolition of the Boyne bridge spanned small protests from the Ulster Architectural Heritage society pushing for the bridge – made in 1936 [1] to be left undisturbed. Despite these pleas to maintain the history of the location, Translink moved forward with plans to the displeasure of many. Days after the decision, a sign was left at the entrance to the bridge, now sectioned off by bollards.

“Touch This Bridge, Beware”

The writing, matched with the distinct image of crosshairs of a rifle left a trail of fear for the workers and organisers alike – with the addition of multiple Union Jack flags not going unnoticed. Personally, aside from the noticeable spelling error corrected on the sign (if you’re going to threaten – at least make it neat), this act seemed like nothing but disgruntled historical pride, displayed in a immature seemingly juvenile way. However, the edition of the Union Jacks draped across the backing, and a little bit of historical education places the situation in a whole new light.

Boyne bridge, although only recently being rebuilt, is a haven of history for loyalists across Belfast. The bridge has links to William of Orange – who is known to have crossed a different iteration of the bridge many years prior. This makes the outrage regarding its removal grounded in some sort of reality – if not a fickle one. It does however bring about the question – if this truly is to do with its roots in loyalist history, does the usage of so clearly threatening language and imagery call to another point in loyalist history, or merely an uncanny coincidence?

It illuminates a clear concern for where the line must be drawn to ensure we do not go back in the past. From my perspective, this incident is so far north of the line its practically south. While I truly defend the right to protest, and the right to maintain historical heritage sites for all causes, this act reduces the power of peaceful protest and shifts the power to violent messaging. The message it sends to society demonstrates that not only is it okay for us to use violence displayed through a medium normally used for art, but also that you can get away with it, even in such an outright form.

The perpetrators of this event have not been found, and thus it is impossible for us to know that this event is in fact definitively linked to historical tensions and priorities of different groups, but it is difficult to remove these actions from the light they appear in. I fear that events like this occurring without proper addressing from local authorities not only breeds fear, but also breeds confidence in violence. The police have a duty to step in, to utilise their resources to properly aid our communities in healing – not in further dividing. It is their responsibility to ensure that the people of Belfast can feel safe in all of Belfast – not just in areas assigned to their religion.

This incident is not a lone incident, and similar themes of sectarianism have been witnessed in public displays as of recent. At the end of last month, a banner was found outside of a building site for an Irish language school in East Belfast. The Banner tactfully disguised its hatred for the Irish language stating that the language should be practiced somewhere where it is “needed” but also “wanted”. The weight of the word “wanted” defines the straight message displayed whether stated outright or not – take your language somewhere else, just not here. The banner was removed before police involvement, and although the PSNI have declared that this will be treated as sectarian hate behaviour, it is understandable that people are dubious of the actual impact their involvement will have. It is imperative that this behaviour is distinguished, because while it is allowed to occur, our city only serves to become more divided. A return to the past is something that should be held in the front of each of our minds, this behaviour cannot continue without tearing the rebuilding of Northern Irish society apart.

Sources:

[1] SAVE THE BOYNE BRIDGE ~ VIDEO FROM THE HEART OF WEST BELFAST.” n.d. SAVE THE BOYNE BRIDGE. https://www.boynebridge.co.uk/