Protesters urged to ‘show some common sense’

Traditionally the group had been staging their Saturday afternoon protest on Shipquay Street, but it has now moved to the mouth of the new pedestrian bridge, on the Cityside. Mr Middleton claimed that pedestrians who wanted to use the bridge were forced to “squeeze past the protesters in single file,” which for some had been “quite intimidating”.

“I walked into the town on Saturday at about 12pm, and it was fine going over using the Peace bridge, but coming back at 3pm we actually had to wiggle our way through the protesters to get onto the bridge again, and we had to do that so that we could get back home again to the Waterside.

“I was speaking to a number of people on the bridge and they were also disgusted at the actions of this group. They had been forced to squeeze past the protesters in single file because there was only a small gap left for people to get on and off. Some of them, particularly people from the countryside had found the experience quite intimidating,” he said.

“I don’t object to anyone from any country or nationality having the right to protest, but I would say that those who wish to make a point should not impede the progress of other people who also have the right to go about their business.

“Whatever their point is in targeting the peace bridge they are failing, because they have not deterred people from walking across it, but I would appeal to them to show some common sense and protest without making it difficult for others to go about their business,” he said, adding: “If they want to protest, which is their right, then I would appeal to them to stand to either side of the mouth of the bridge and let people pass.”