Repainting history
Part of ridding a country of its culture of sectarian violence might lie in changing its artwork. At least, that’s the hope of a government program in Northern Ireland. The images of masked gunmen painted on the walls throughout the Protestant neighborhoods of Belfast will be replaced with more peaceful images with the help of ...
Part of ridding a country of its culture of sectarian violence might lie in changing its artwork. At least, that's the hope of a government program in Northern Ireland.
The images of masked gunmen painted on the walls throughout the Protestant neighborhoods of Belfast will be replaced with more peaceful images with the help of a $6 million grant program. The images being targeted are mostly associated with either the Ulster Defense Assocation or the Ulster Volunteer Force, both outlawed paramilitary groups.
But even the removal of violent images can be a point of contention in Northern Ireland, where some Catholics are questioning the need to pay for the murals’ replacement with government funds. Directing these grants at Protestant neighborhoods is also a subtle means for government favoritism for Protestants over Catholics, some argue.
SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginness was furious, saying the murals were designed to intimidate and mark out territory and were illegal. “That is why today’s announcement beggars belief. People shouldn’t have to be paid to take down paramilitary murals. They should be told to do it,” he said.
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