Loyalist group The British Truth Forum is campaigning to have a Christmas tree removed from Magherafelt town in County Derry. The group is unhappy with the Mid Ulster District Council ever since a union flag and pole was removed near where the Christmas tree is now situated.
Forum chairman William Lennox said there are “Muslims in the town and a lot of non Christians,” who could be offended by the tree. Mr Lennox also stated that the tree had not been the subject of an equality impact assessment (EQIA) :
We are asking them to move the tree. We are not saying we don’t want a Christmas tree but there are people offended by Christmas, who don’t celebrate Christmas.
If the council says our Union flag offends people then the Christmas tree has offended people.
The council has to stick to their policies.
Mr Lennox, who identifies as a Christian, said that "Christmas trees are being hijacked and it’s a pagan ceremony”.
A spokeswoman for Mid Ulster Council said that a complaint has been received in relation to the Christmas tree erected in Magherafelt town, with a query about whether there was an EQIA carried out for it.
The spokeswoman confirmed that an equality impact assessment was not carried out because “EQIAs are only required when a major negative impact on equality of opportunity and/or good relations has been identified via an equality screening exercise”.
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Good to see people of different viewpoints coming together in a spirit of friendship and understanding this holiday season.
H/T: Irish News
