White Nationalist Party should be investigated - SDLP
WNP - 'a fraud and a sham!'
In a joint statement SDLP's North Antrim Representative Sean Farren and Cllr Declan O'Loan have, in line with SDLP anti-racist policies, called on the Human Rights and Equalty Commissions to investigate the White Nationalist Party and other parties which espouse racist poli-cies for breaches of Northem Ireland legislation:

"The WNP (White Nationalist Party) which has been publicising itself in the North Antrim area in recent months, especially in Ballymena and Ballymoney, should be investigated by the Human Rights and Equality Commissions.
"A self-declared opponent of democracy which it believes to be 'a fraud and a sham' the WNP is part of what is described as 'Aryan Unity'.
"Aryan Unity, according to the WNP website, exists to 'foster kinship' amongst Aryan freedom fighters throughout the world'.
"This makes the WNP part of a world-wide Nazi-type conspiracy and however unlikely its chances of success, its poisonous policies and attitudes continue to have influence in certain quarters.
"The WNP's racist policies and its exclusive membership conditions fly in the face of human rights and equality legislation.
"According to its website membership is confined to people of European descent. WNP policies are white supremacist, and firmly opposed to multi-racialism.
"On all of these grounds there is a clear case to answer and as long as the WNP continues to organise in Northern Ireland it must answerable to our human rights and equality legislation.
"We are writing to the Equality and Human Rights Commission requesting that action be taken to curb the illegal activities of this party which has links with local loyalist organisations and is suspected of encouraging their paramilitary activities.
"It is also widely suspected of encouraging racist attacks in the North Antrim and other areas over recent months."

Council clash over racism
Ballymena Times 14th August 2003
AN SDLP motion calling for the Council to unite in support of the European Charter for a non-racist society, caused further division and the re-opening of old political wounds in the Ballymena Chamber.
At last week’s monthly meeting Cllr. Declan O’Loan presented his motion which called for the condemnation of racist campaigns, appropriate language when referring to racial groups and opposition to hatred or prejudice on the grounds of race.
However the motion quickly degenerated into a political slanging match, with spin-off arguments including the now famous ‘rednecks row’.
Putting forward his motion the SDLP man said: “Ballymena has not been spared racial incident. Right-wing groups such as the london-based White Nationalist party have adopted Ballymena as a suitable base to build support in Northern Ireland.
“These are evil organisations. They are a threat to our democratic system. I hope the whole Council will unite strongly behind this motion.”
Indeed it was Ulster Unionist Councillor neil Armstrong who stood first to support the motion saying:
“These people who are being attacked and abused are contributing to our society. We should be praising these people.
“I have said in the past these people are half-wits - I apologise to half-wits. They peddle filth and they are hate-filled. I speak on behalf of my party when I support this motion.”
Raising the issue of the Dunloy Orange men, Independent Councillor, William Wright called for the Orange Order to be included in the motion as one of the racial groups.
Displaying photos of PSNI officers blocking Orange men from marching through Dunloy, Cllr. Wright said:
“SDLP talk of human rights. What if you happen to be a poor Orange man at Dunloy.”
Cllr. Wright said the SDLP were ‘definitely biased’ in regards to the Orange Order. Speaking about the Dunloy situation he said: “It is racism in its most biased sectarian manner.”
DUP man, Cllr. tweed also accused the SDLP of double standards.
He said: “These [SDLP] are people who want to be squeaky clean. They stand shoulder to shoulder with Sinn Fein/IRA. The SDLP has to take a look at themselves.”
Presenting the Mayor, Ald. Joe McKernan with a poster montage of murdered RUC officers, Cllr. Robin Stirling attacked the Irish Republic on it’s racial attitudes, quoting figures.
“pretty damning statistics these - pretty embarrassing”, said Cllr. Stirling. The DUP man then went on to attack Archbishop Charles McQuaid, who he said was ‘intolerant’ and ‘anti-Protestant’.
Responding to the various comments, author of the motion, Cllr. Declan O’Loan slammed Cllr. Stirling for using the RUC poster as a debating point.
“Our party is the only one not borne out of violence. We [SDLP] condemn and deplore each atrocity. To use that poster as a cheap debating point should be beneath the dignity of any Councillor.”
Cllr Mills then weighed in, saying he was annoyed about Cllr O’Loan’s comment that his party where the only one not borne out of violence.
“I am very annoyed that Cllr. O’Loan has sunk to such depths, that he should castigate us. His party feed off violence.”
With the temperature rising by the minute in the Council chamber, Ald. PJ McAvoy spoke up in defence of his party colleague.
“It has turned into a battle of foolishness. The notion of this motion becomes obsolete. Cllr. O’Loan was genuine in this motion.
“Whatever Cllr. O’Loan puts forward will never be carried in this chamber. It will be manipulated and changed.”
Responding to comments made by his Ballymena North colleague Cllr. Mills, Ald. McAvoy said he opposed Republican manoeuvres around the Town, where he said they were made out to be the ‘saviours’.
He said: “No-one is more opposed to violent groups than me. I think you are aware of that Cllr. Mills. I am not a supporter of Sinn Fein/IRA. I do not agree with the demonising of the SDLP.”
Cllr Mills retorted: “The fact is that the SDLP would not be where they are without Sinn Fein/IRA.”
The motion was lost to Cllr. Wright’s amendment.
Speaking to the Times, Cllr. Declan O’loan said he would continue to bring up motions, despite the double defeat last Monday night.
“if there is something to be said, then we will say it. I honestly thought this racism motion would be widely supported, and I am still trying to understand why it wasn’t.
“There are serious questions which need to be asked. Why would the DUP fail to support such a straight forward motion on racism.
“I feel there is s deep sense of Unionist insecurity behind this. It’s shocking that they [DUP] could not support this motion. Sectarianism and racism are inter-linked here in Northern Ireland.”