Stacey Graham

Unashamed Loyalist, Married Mummy to two amazing babies, Let's Talk Loyalism. views are my own.

[Stacey Graham @StaceyGraham90]

Brilliant turnout for our Peelers event last night in the Shankill. Great discussion, strong audience engagement and a diverse mix of community, political and youth representatives in the room.

Thanks to Superintendent Alli Hagan, Anna and Peri and everyone who joined us. 👏

[Brian Kingston @BrianKingston]

Standing up for the Girls Model School and calling on Daniel Holder of CAJ to apologise and withdraw his disgraceful slur.

[Moore Holmes @mooreholmes24]

Notice anything about how The View frames tonight’s commentary?

[Quincey Dougan @_quincey]

#OTD 15 May 1903, Lt. Col. James Cunningham born Glencairn, Belfast. Newspaper owner and managing director, banker, stockbroker, highly regarded solider WW2, politician, President of Ulster Unionist Council, and lifelong Orangeman (Fernhill Temperance LOL 1338)

[Police Service NI @PoliceServiceNI]

We have given Stephen Nolan an unprecedented insight into every day policing for a new BBC series – Peelers: The PSNI – For Real. The first episodes air tonight on BBC One at 10.40pm or you can watch the whole series now on BBC iPlayer.

https://t.co/hjov6vXa87

[Moore Holmes @mooreholmes24]

Irish Republicans thought this mural was great. It depicted the PSNI under attack, and they celebrated it, described it as “fine art,” as did some within the media who amplified its toxic message. In reality, it glorified violence, sanitised suffering and portrayed the police as a target. Now, a car bomb has exploded outside a police station, intent on killing officers those who protect the peace, and those same voices are out in hypocritical condemnation without the slightest hint of self awareness. Shame on those who glorify Republican violence.

[Marley @FightHypocrisy1]

Well done to the police officers who risked their lives to save babies from an IRA bomb in Dunmurry last night.

[Marley @FightHypocrisy1]

Your party chose weapons of war over people for a century. Spare us your performative morality claims.

[Moore Holmes @mooreholmes24]

The wearing of GAA tops is less about a deliberate strategy to provoke or unsettle Unionists, although more would intend that than many would care to admit, and more about how central the GAA is within the cultural fabric of Republicanism. There is no denying the institution is an impressive one. Spreading right across the whole island and beyond. A genuine grassroots sporting body providing so many people, both young and old, the opportunity for camaraderie, community and competition.

As great as all those things are, and they truly are great, none of it takes away from the GAA’s obvious and unavoidable controversial nature. Whether members realise or not, and many of them don’t, the GAA is inherently political - both historically and contemporarily.

It’s in its DNA. It’s in its constitution. It’s all over the mechanics and paraphernalia of the institution. It’s downright ignorant and simply dishonest to pretend otherwise.

Until GAA leadership and ambassadors tackle the ongoing glorification of terrorism within its institution, and surgically remove the political dimension within its own governance, it will never be viewed as truly inclusive - and why would it?

If it continues to look the other way to sectarianism, allows clubs and cups to honour IRA killers, and advocate for political objectives, it will always be controversial, viewed with hostility by many, and never achieve the cross-community support that other sports enjoy. It has so much to learn from rugby and football, but instead, it brands them as “imported” or “foreign” games.

The question really is; how much do those within the GAA leadership really care about that? It’s obvious that they don’t. In fact, they know their organisation is political, and view that as part of the GAA’s core identity. They don’t want to be like the FA, or even the Ulster Branch of the IRFU, which are genuine cross-community institutions.

Setting all that aside, @JamieBrysonLLB recent remarks are valid. He is right in what he says. Unionists should be confident in who they are, but not by simply reacting to others. The British in Northern Ireland are equally proud of their culture, their colours, their institutions, and should have no hesitancy in expressing their identity with confidence and authenticity - without shame or restraint.

Our post-conflict society had viewed cultural labels and single community symbols as controversial and sensitive. It went as far as perpetuating the idea that it would be considered offensive or inappropriate to wear or show such symbols.

It’s fair to say that Nationalism, mainly a younger generation, has entirely discarded that mindset. And so they should. They are being unashamedly them - and fair play to them for it. Bryson’s point is more about encouraging Unionists to follow suit. Not reacting in petulance or provocation, but by being unashamedly themselves, with equal veracity.

Be who you are. Wear whatever the hell you want. Do not hide your identity. Do not worry about “offence.” Proudly, and unashamedly, express that which is dear to you, and don’t do it just to poke someone else in the eye, but because it’s fundamentally part of who you are, and in turn, it will empower others to do the same. It will help cultivate and reinforce the confident, positive and proud community that is unashamedly British within Northern Ireland.

No Surrender🇬🇧🇬🇧

[Quincey Dougan @_quincey]

#OTD 18 April 1689, ‘No surrender’ is heard for the first time from the walls of Londonderry. King James demanded submission. In return he was greeted with the famous cry, and against Lundy’s orders, weapons were discharged. Cannon Roaring Meg killed one of James aides

[George From The Shankill REPORT ALL DRUG DEALERS @impongo22]

REMEMBERING THE INNOCENT ON THE SHANKILL NO LONGER WITH US
MOUNTAINVIEW TAVERN 5th APRIL 1975
THE SHANKILL A COMMUNITY LIKE NO OTHER
LEST WE FORGET

[Moore Holmes @mooreholmes24]

Unionists are rightly proud of their historic contribution both to the Union and specifically Northern Ireland.

A proud people. Industrial. Efficient. Diligent. Builders.

In early 1920’s, they built a new institution from scratch. Against all the odds, with limited resources, surrounded by adversaries.

The story of Northern Ireland’s beginning is a special one. War to the South, scepticism to the East, and enemies within. What was built in 1921 has endured, and continues to endure, even grow, 105 years on.

The place we each call home was built by Unionists. And it is the only place on this island, where all creeds have shown they can coexist and thrive.

[john kyle @cllrjohnkyle]

Spectacular new artwork launched in East Belfast documenting the history of NI from a Loyalist perspective. Hope and justice triumph over sectarian hatred. #DeeCraig

[Stacey Graham @StaceyGraham90]

Delighted to attend Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly’s Installation Dinner this evening. She has truly been an incredible Lord Mayor for all.
@Tracybelfast1

[Moore Holmes @mooreholmes24]

Chris actually proves his version of Irish not to be inclusive, but elitist. He mistakes St Patrick, and the Belfast City parade, to be a purely ‘Irish celebration’, in which other identities are generously permitted to take part in. That actually diminishes the British dimension to the St Patrick story and those of a British identity, who celebrate St Patrick as their Saint as well. St Patrick doesn’t belong to the Irish alone, he is a shared and inclusive figure, mistakenly and anachronistically hijacked by nationalists. In truth, St Patrick is a powerful symbol of the historical relationship between the people across the British Isles and just how connected they have been for thousands of years. Quintessentially British. That the St Patrick’s Day Parade has not displayed that element to it only until this year, demonstrates a lack of inclusion. Well done to the Imperial Guards.

[Moore Holmes @mooreholmes24]

What isn’t being said is sometimes more revealing than what is.

Every Sinn Fein intervention centres upon discrediting witnesses and delegitimatising the trial.

Not a single person has come out saying Gerry Adams wasn’t in the IRA.

Funny that?

[Moore Holmes @mooreholmes24]

According to Sinn Fein, Unionists are wreckers.

Unionists built Northern Ireland. The place we call home.

Sinn Fein have tried and keep trying to wreck the historic and special relationship across the British Isle.

Unionists are innovators. Sinn Fein are wreckers.

[Keith Mills @KeithMillsD7]

Dear unionists, this is what you would face in a united Ireland.

[Police Federation for Northern Ireland @PoliceFedforNI]

Wouldn’t it be great if every other public sector worker had an independent pay review body who’s remit is not fettered and their recommendation decisions are binding and not subject to any affordability considerations.

[Paul Porter @cllrpaulporter]

Anyone spot the Difference 😜
The not so “Nice” Alliance Party.