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Chapter 4: Belfast
- University of Pennsylvania Press
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Chapter Belfast Introduction Paul M. lives with his family on Madrid Street in the isolated Catholic enclave of Short Strand. Madrid Street runs perpendicular to the local interface separating Catholic and Protestant communities in the neighborhood, and due to its proximity to both it has become an informal battleground, like those straddling many similar thresholds in Belfast. Though he admits that life in the Short Strand is difficult and he is anxious to the point of appearing ‘‘pathetic,’’ he expresses no desire to leave since his life, relatives, and lifelong associations are there. He believes that the peaceline is the only reliable form of protection his community can expect, since the police are not dependable. While some of his neighbors complain that the Short Strand has come to resemble the Alamo, Paul thinks that the situation is not as bad as it sounds, because his community is protected by walls that make the transition from Catholic to Protestant territory unmistakable. Paul places special emphasis on the terrors associated with Protestant Orange Order marches every summer on 12 July, which he refers to simply as ‘‘the Twelfth.’’ His concerns confirm that the calendar is a highly reliable predictor of violence in Belfast—a condition found in none of the other divided cities examined in this book, although violent episodes have occurred in Belfast throughout the year since the Troubles began in the late 1960s. When researchers (Murtagh 1995; Boal 1995; Murray 1991) compiled statistics for monthly fatalities for the years 1969–1998, the measurable increase in deaths related to sectarian violence was seen to have taken place in late summer. This pattern is linked to the marching schedule of Protestant fraternal organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Apprentice Boys of Derry, Independent Orange Order, Loyal Orange Institution, and Royal Black Institution. These marches are part of the Irish Protestant cultural heritage, with no equivalent among Catholics. Approximately Chapter Table 4.1. Basic Facts Regarding the Physical Partition of Belfast Antagonisms Catholics v. Protestants, Republicans v. Loyalists, Nationalists v. Unionists Name Peacelines Location The first peacelines were constructed spontaneously in the vicinity of Leeson, Cupar, Bombay, and Brookfield Streets in northwest Belfast. Many were subsequently constructed as sectarian violence migrated away from these places and erupted at other sensitive interfaces. No overarching logic guides their placement with respect to the city as a whole; rather, the walls are built in direct response to specific and chronic episodes of local violence. They all correspond to segments of interfaces where residential areas occupied by rival communities meet. Context Peacelines occur almost exclusively in the less affluent parts of the city, specifically the western and northern sectors. They generally follow streets that function as traditional boundaries between residential enclaves, though they sometimes split residential streets along alleys or backlots. Some block streets running perpendicular to the interfaces in order to block or regulate traffic between enclaves. Size The largest peacelines are more than 12 m high and in excess of 1.6 km in length, forming a defensive perimeter wall. The smallest are 3 m high and 30 m wide, forming a blockade or gate. Most span several residential city blocks where proximity between rival communities is closest and are designed to prevent the passage of thrown projectiles. Porosity Peacelines are built to prevent pedestrian incursion, and so most are impermeable throughout their length. These lengths are almost always open-ended, however, and do not form a complete seal around residential enclaves. These configurations allow for near total control at vulnerable locations and relatively unobstructed movement across interfaces elsewhere along an enclave perimeter. Gates in peacelines can be operated at the discretion of police and/or monitoring residents. During marching season, for example, many openings are shut and locked to reduce the likelihood of spontaneous riots. Many peacelines provide visual transparency while preventing penetration of people, projectiles, or vehicles. Materials The construction of peacelines reflects the needs, taste, and resources of the communities that commission them. Typical [3.238.86.122] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 07:32 GMT) Belfast materials are brick, concrete, iron railing, corrugated steel, barbed wire, and open wire mesh. Status In 2002 there were 14 major peacelines partially separating Protestant from Catholic neighborhoods in Belfast. Actors Though many peacelines were first constructed as spontaneous and unplanned responses to rioting, none of these structures remain. Many have disappeared altogether, and some have been replaced by more carefully constructed partitions built...