NATIONALIST politicians have issued a joint statement calling on people not to attend a bonfire in the city’s Galliagh area tonight.
SDLP, Sinn Féin and Aontú councillors called on people to show respect and consideration for the Galliagh community by staying away from the area.
The bonfire led to an outbreak of serious unrest last week when cars and vans were hijacked and set on fire and police came under petrol bomb attack.
The three parties said Galliagh residents have made it clear that they did not want a bonfire.
The group said: “We stand with the people of Galliagh in their outrage at these behaviours which are having such a detrimental impact on their health and wellbeing.”
Efforts to find a solution to the issue have been ongoing since May, the group said.
“Last week saw a significant increase in social unrest with fireworks going off, wheelie bins stolen and burned, escalating to petrol bombing, hoax bombs, hijacking and burning of cars and vans, destroying people’s livelihoods and issuing open threats to the community.
"It is suspected that not all of these incidents were carried out by the local young people but some of them could get caught up in the more sinister activities that have surfaced,” the parties said.
The three parties said they would support residents by working with relevant agencies to minimise disruption.
“We are also calling on the wider Derry community to show some respect and consideration for the local residents and please stay away from this area. Visitors and onlookers are not welcome and can only contribute to the misery and distress of local people. Please stay away,” the group said.
