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Loyalist flag protests in Belfast city centre after a protest at City hall Paul Faith/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Belfast

200 take part in Belfast union flag protest

The protest took place at Belfast City Hall, with some protesters then travelling to Stormont for a peaceful protest.

A UNION FLAG protest took place at Belfast City Hall today, attracting a large group who were not allowed to proceed to Stormont.

However, later on a small number of protesters took part in a peaceful protest on the steps of Stormont.

The PSNI said that shortly after midday today a group of around 200 union flag protestors gathered at Belfast City Hall, with protestors informing police that they intended to parade to Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly, via the Newtownards Road.

However, police advised them that they would not be allowing participation in an un-notified public procession.

The protestors stayed on the footpath at the front of Belfast City Hall and carried out a peaceful protest for approximately one hour, said the PSNI, though police prevented any attempt to parade by blocking Chichester Street for a short period of time.

At the conclusion of the protest, individuals from with the group left the front of the city hall on the footpath and made their way out of the city via the Newtownards Road in the direction of Stormont.

At 3pm, a crowd of around 50 people engaged in a peaceful protest at the steps of Stormont and dispersed around 4.30pm, said police.

The protest came on the same day that union flag protester Willie Frazer appeared in court charged with offences related to the ongoing protests.

The 52-year-old was arrested and charged with various offences including three counts of taking part in an un-notified public procession and obstructing traffic in a public place.

Another of the Union flag demonstration organisers, Jamie Bryson (23) was arrested by PSNI yesterday evening. He was detained in Bangor on suspicion of public order offences relating to the protests. He is currently assisting police with their inquiries.

Read: Man charged in connection with Belfast flag protests>

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