SIR: Many Bolton people must be wondering why the march through Bolton town centre, planned by the 'Apprentice Boys of Derry' was given the go-ahead. Such marches raise important issues of civil liberties. Are they cultural celebrations, a mark of respect for working class unionists killed in great numbers in two world wars?

Or are they designed to provoke Irish nationalists? Do they celebrate the continuing second-class status of working class Irish nationalists in the north, compared with their Unionist counterparts?

I would suggest the aim of such demonstrations is to assert those aspects of unionism which glory in the oppression of the nationalist population of the north of Ireland, and are designed to sustain this oppression. They are not 'cultural' and have no future. Recent events in Belfast support this view.

This view is also borne out by the appearance - always - of fascists and neo-nazis on such demonstrations - there they were in Bolton on Saturday, with their Nazi salutes and racial bigotry.

I am proud indeed of the role played by Bolton Trades Council, along with local community groups and socialists, in opposing this demonstration. Sheer protest galvanised local shoppers into a crowd sufficiently large to prevent the march taking place. Bolton Trades Council sent a delegation to the north of Ireland last year, visiting community groups from nationalist and loyalist sides. Back in Bolton we have tried to build on that visit in a number of ways, and have had discussions and meetings with republican groups supporting Irish nationalism and local unionists.

We will do all we can to help the Peace Process at this critical time. Demonstrations by the 'Apprentice Boys' through Bolton town centre, 'stewarded' by a bunch of fascist hooligans, have no place in that Process.

Tom Hanley

Bolton and District United

Trades Council,Socialist Club,

Wood Street, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.