A SERIES of protests will be held at the border this weekend to oppose the threat by the British Government to trigger Article 16.
The demonstrations in Lifford and Bridgend are being organised by Border Communities Against Brexit (BCAB). The group has accused Boris Johnson’s Government of pursuing a reckless course in negotiations with the EU around the Protocol.
There has been a growing expectation in Brussels and Dublin that British prime minister Boris Johnson’s administration is moving towards using the clause to unilaterally suspend aspects of the protocol, which was designed to avoid a hard border on the island after the UK left the EU.
Article 16 is an emergency clause in the protocol which can be activated unilaterally if the agreement leads to “serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist, or to diversion of trade”.
The demonstrations will be held on the Donegal border as well as Aughnacloy, Flurry Bridge, Carrickcarnon and Belcoo-Blacklion.
Declan Fearon Chair of BCAB said, “Recent British Government statements and actions are posing a very direct threat to the Peace Process, the all-island economy and raising once again the horrific prospect of a return to a hard border in Ireland. We are calling on Boris Johnson to back off, and to protect and implement the Protocol.
“Communities, businesses, workers, farmers and students along the border want the Protocol to be implemented in order to protect jobs, livelihoods and community life on this island.
“Businesses, manufacturers and farmers are benefiting from the Protocol and thousands of jobs are being created and secured as a direct result of it.
Lifford bridge, one of the locations where protesters will gather at 3pm on Saturday.
“The protocol has mitigated the worst effects of Brexit for communities such as ours.”
Mr Fearon said the British government needs to listen to the concerns of border communities, to businesses and to farmers who will be devastated by any triggering of Article 16.
“Communities along the border are determined not to be dragged back to the past, it is shocking after years of Brexit uncertainty for Border Communities, that a deal which was signed only a very short time ago is being torn apart,” he said.
“We will not allow any re-imposition of a hard border and the untold social and economic damage this would cause.
“We will not allow the Peace Process to be undermined.”
The five demonstrations will take place at 3pm on Saturday and BCAB is asking everyone living along the border, on either side, to make an effort to attend their nearest demonstration.
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Posted: 7:30 pm November 17, 2021