Wyeyum

Wild swimmer, runner, linguist, interpreter, geek, irishman and ulsterman..

[Jon Burrows MLA @JonBurrowsMLA]

Moving to hear tributes to Ciara Mageean across the Assembly chamber this morning. Whatever our political differences, we are all human beings, and cancer does not discriminate.
Ciara was an inspiration on the track and in her courage facing cancer.

[Máiría Cahill @cahillbooks]

Why is IRA man Martin Duckser Lynch, who hails from West Belfast, directing the protesters at Garvaghy? What does First Minister Michelle O'Neill think of this? This is a question that the media should be asking. They won't. He comes in here after Brendan Mac Cionnaith says that they're not going to let "those fuckers down."

[Ben Lowry @BenLowry2]

I have been at Drumcree since early this morning.
I was wary about reopening this dispute but now that has happened, here are thoughts from one unionist perspective.
The Orange Order have taken a totally different approach to even the early 2000s (let alone 1990s). There are no supporters on Drumcree hill. None.
They used the courts the way nationalists have long done. This highlighted the complacency of a Parades Commission that failed to promote mediation, as it is obliged to do, and which had in effect rewarded a veto by resident leaders who would not talk.
This is a march with a long history and so it enjoys a greater presumption of right to proceed than marches that lack that tradition.
The massively scaled down Orange proposal of 60 men walking silently, rather than 800 men with bands and banners and flags, was further cut by the commission to 35 participants at 8am. This compromise ruling has been rejected by the full spectrum of Irish nationalism.
We are told the timing clashed with 8am Mass. Are the numbers at that service large? I was at the main 11am Anglican service at Drumcree parish this morning, which had around 30 congregants, reflecting the big declines in NI church attendance.
Would a 7am silent march with 12 people be accepted? I am reminded of a unionist politician saying years ago that residents in part of north Belfast had got out of their beds to be offended by an early Twelfth feeder march.
With a massive crowd on the Garvaghy Road the march will not happen without police dragging people off the streets. The first minister is with the crowds, just as she was at the helm of the huge Bobby Storey IRA funeral (when she had been the most adamant Stormont voice for stricter lockdowns, and after thousands of people in NI had abided by the then severe restrictions on funeral sizes for their loved one).
Police removing demonstrators, even though at an unnotified protest, would be cited to justify the grievance and lies about the PSNI being sectarian, and bolster dissident republicans.
I am not an Orangeman so I comment as an outsider. I think they would win a moral victory if they acknowledged the impossibility of going ahead today. They could say that 'we sought approval to march, we got it, we assembled to abide fully by the new, stricter terms but it was impossible to proceed given the crowds, led by the first minister'.
They could say we will continue to apply for a limited return march.
It would expose double standards, not least among those who show contempt for the wishes of local Belfast communities with a policy that forces Irish signage in streets where 85% of residents don't want it.
A footnote: at Drumcree parish, Rev Gary Galway said this morning: "We must love our neighbours and we do love our neighbours on the Garvaghy Road"

[Wyeyum @wyeyum]

@partikthist @QUBelfast Coming soon.

[Belfast City Council @belfastcc]

Ulster-Scots Language Week was celebrated in Belfast this week with a special event in City Hall on Thursday.

Community groups from the city enjoyed a morning of Ulster-Scots poetry, music and dance to mark the week.

[Belfast City Council @belfastcc]

Ulster-Scots Leid Week wus mairked this week in Bilfawst bae special daeins at City Haa oan Thorsday.

Commonity curns fae the city enjoyed a forenoon o’ Ulster-Scots poetry, music an’ dance fer tae mairk Leid Week.

[Alfie Wong MBE FCA @alfiecbwong]

Lovely day with family and friends from all our communities at Open Botanic street festival; a wonderful way to come together, connect and celebrate our diverse society in safe inclusive spaces. #PlayfulStreets #CreatingSpace

[Claire Hanna @ClaireHanna]

From flute bands to falafel stands, Botanic was the place to be today.

Very possible to have a future where that’s the rule & not the exception. Credit to @ForwardSouthPB & grassroots coalition they’ve built for it. Autumn Fair in the park completed a fine South Belfast Sunday

[Wyeyum @wyeyum]

@ClaireHanna @ForwardSouthPB Great chat Claire

[Iain Dale 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧 ⚒️ @IainDale]

Whoever put Sunak out in the rain needs to consider whether they're in the right job. The optics of a PM being drenched while being drowned out by THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER are about as bad as it gets.

[Alfie Wong MBE FCA @alfiecbwong]

Thank you Ivy Goddard @Inter_Ethnic William Olphert @CWA_NI for speaking at NICS World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development event; hearing about their important work and insights on intercultural dialogue, understanding richness and value of cultural diversity.

[Wyeyum @wyeyum]

@BrianKingston @duponline Super well done!

[Wyeyum @wyeyum]

@NIYouthAssembly Well done Lucy!

[Wyeyum @wyeyum]

@janbartspang @Majella_Spang So happy for you love William x

[Alfie Wong MBE FCA @alfiecbwong]

Because only one Census question out of several available Census question datasets was used, instead of all related questions together, for this report/article, unfortunately our large Polish community here has been excluded. @bbcnewsline .

https://t.co/DscqDgyQqY

[Wyeyum @wyeyum]

Good attitudes can be modelled but we always need a legal framework to protect rights

[The Executive Office @ExecOfficeNI]

A 12-week consultation on the reform of the Race Relations Order begins online today until 18 June 2023.

Launching the consultation, TEO Permanent Secretary @DenisMTEO , said: “We are committed to making Northern Ireland a welcoming and fair society.”

https://t.co/2qyIRAUW2N

[The Executive Office @ExecOfficeNI]

A 12-week consultation on the reform of the Race Relations Order begins online today until 18 June 2023.

Launching the consultation, TEO Permanent Secretary @DenisMTEO , said: “We are committed to making Northern Ireland a welcoming and fair society.”

https://t.co/2qyIRAUW2N

[Alfie Wong MBE FCA @alfiecbwong]

Delighted to attend launch of consultation on Review of Race Relations (NI) Order 1997, following collaboration by @ExecOfficeNI with Racial Equality Subgroup and wider minority ethnic sector. Looking forward to feeding into and shaping our future. #RacialEquality #HaveYourSay

[Wyeyum @wyeyum]

"It doesn't make sense to continue wanting something if you're not willing to do what it takes to get it.

If you don't want to live the lifestyle, then release yourself from the desire. To crave the result but not the process, is to guarantee disappointment."

– @JamesClear

[Órfhlaith Begley @OrfhlaithBegley]

Thinking of Ashling Murphy on her first anniversary. RIP

She was only going for a run.