The leaders of numerous political parties in Northern Ireland have issued a joint statement in which they express their opposition to the harassment of police officers and members of the Prison Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
This statement was made in reaction to a video that was shared on social media that showed members of a republican party removing recruitment posters from a bus stop in Derry. The video was posted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Posters against the PSNI can be seen being placed up in the film.
Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Naomi Long, leader of the Alliance Party (AP), and Colum Eastwood, leader of the Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP), all contributed to the issuance of the joint statement.
The following is an excerpt from the statement that was issued: “We are aware of video footage showing individuals removing prison service recruitment advertisements and posting anti-PSNI posters.”
“We extend our full support to everyone who is working within these services, as well as to the recruiting process that is now taking place inside the Prison Service.
“Those who threaten or intimidate those who serve the community as members of the PSNI or as prison officers have no place in our society.”
“Those who engage in such tactics do not speak for the people who we represent as political leaders,” said one of the leaders.
We want to encourage everyone in our community to think about the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Prison Service as viable career options. – PA
