NO borders, no barriers, no Brexit — protesters chanted demands and marched on Stormont yesterday as Northern Ireland reeled against the triggering of Article 50.
Almost 60 per cent of voters backed Remain last summer amid concerns about the impact of leaving the EU on the peace process and the border with Ireland.
Now, with the power sharing deal at the Northern Irish Assembly in tatters and no devolved government in place, 300 people made their way to the steps of the parliament buildings to show their anger at being dragged from the bloc against their will.
The demonstration included the erection of mock customs checkpoints to highlight fears about the prospect of tougher border regulations to come.
Declan Fearon, of campaign group Border Communities Against Brexit, told the crowds Prime Minister Theresa May was not interested in their concerns.
He said: “Our population here is less than three per cent of the UK so it seems we don’t matter when the bigger decisions are being made, especially those concerning Brexit.
“It is not acceptable that we are being squeezed between two enormous political forces in the British government and the European Union with large macro economies while we are located on the edge of Europe faced with the prospect of our borders being closed and having to pay tariffs on our goods with inevitable long delays on our border crossings.”
He went on: “We must show to the British and Irish governments and indeed especially to the European Union that we are not going to stand by while our island and our economy is devastated and divided by Brexit.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, who attended the demo, called triggering Article 50 while Northern Ireland is without an administration an act of “democratic savagery”.
He added: “The British government’s Brexit juggernaut is about to smash through the fragile complexities of Irish politics.”
Earlier, Sinn Fein said its campaign to secure special designated status for Northern Ireland post-Brexit was building momentum across Europe.
Michelle O’Neill, who recently succeeded Martin McGuinness to become the party’s Stormont leader, dismissed the notion that such a concession would be unachievable, saying: “Brexit would be a disaster for Ireland, socially, politically and economically.
“It is unacceptable that Tories, who have no mandate in Ireland, can impose Brexit and a border against our will.
“The people of the north voted against Brexit in a democratic poll.”
She said the Irish Government should “step up” to help, adding: “Clearly we need special status - we are building momentum and that argument is resonating across Europe.”
While Sinn Fein and the SDLP joined the picket, unionists welcomed the triggering of Article 50.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said: “The Prime Minister has rightly been emphasising her determination to deliver for all constituent parts of the United Kingdom on this historic day.
“Whilst others are content to moan and whine we want to see that delivery happen and we are confident she will make that happen.”
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