PBPA canvassers attacked in Nelson Drive

One of the canvassers was hospitalised and required three stitches after being punched in the face during the assault towards the end of what the PBPA described as a very positive canvass in Nelson Drive.

The group included the PBPA Assembly candidate Eamon McCann and the group’s local election candidates Diane Greer and Dave McAuley.

Mr McAuley said the attack was totally unrepresentative of the attitude of the majority of residents they spoke to on the doorsteps of the estate on Monday afternoon.

He said attacks such as that suffered on Monday would not deter the alliance from canvassing in any area of the city and has appealed to community leaders in Nelson Drive to facilitate a meeting with those who attacked them.

“We have always canvassed every working class area of this City, from the Bogside to Bonds Street.

“The response on the doors today was fantastic, as it always is when we canvas Caw and Nelson Drive. The attackers in no way represent the people of Nelson Drive, many of whom came out to make sure we were OK,” he said.

The canvassing team were badly shaken by the attack, however Mr McAuley believes that an attack such as this proves the need for the kind of politics espoused by the PBPA.

“We stand neither for Orange or Green, we do not want to see another generation blighted by sectarian bigotry and ghettoised the way previous generations have been.

“The vicious cuts introduced by the mainstream parties can only be beaten by Protestant and Catholics joining together and fighting against them.

“The cuts in social provision do not discriminate against one community or the other, unlike the Parties who implement them in Stormont,” he added.

Police in Londonderry are appealing for information following reports of the assault at approximately 3.30pm on Monday, May 2.

The PSNI are investigating a possible sectarian motive for the attack and would ask anyone who has any information to contact police in Strand Road on 0845 600 8000 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111