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Shared space rally planned for south Belfast

Flags erected on the Ormeau Road. Picture by Mal McCann
Flags erected on the Ormeau Road. Picture by Mal McCann Flags erected on the Ormeau Road. Picture by Mal McCann

RESIDENTS in south Belfast are being urged to join tonight's rally calling for respect of shared spaces.

The cross-party demonstration comes after dozens of Union and Northern Ireland flags were put up on the Upper Ormeau Road earlier this week.

The area is regarded as one of the north's most diverse.

Hundreds are expected to attend the rally at Cherrvale playing fields on the Ravenhill Road.

The event is being supported by Sinn Féin, Alliance, the SDLP and Greens.

South Belfast's recently elected MP, the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly, faced criticism this week for remarks she made about UVF flags that had been erected in a shared housing development off the Cregagh Road.

Ms Little-Pengelly there was no widespread support for the removal of the flags and claimed residents "didn't want a public fuss around this matter".

The Respect Shared Space rally begins at 6pm.