Flags and Protests: Exploring the views, perceptions and experiences of people directly and indirectly affected by the flag protests

On Monday 3rd December 2012, Belfast City Council voted to fly the Union Flag only on designated days. In the following days and weeks the city experienced public disorder, mass parades and protests, and travel disruption, all of which had huge financial and political costs. Although the size and impact of the protests has decreased, there are still flag protests twelve moths after the change in policy. This research is the first academic attempt to both critique and document the views, interpretations and perceptions of those affected by the flag decision. A series of focus groups and participant observations provided the platform for analysis that captured the motivations and rationale for protest participation, and offered an insight into the wider views and opinions that existed within the Loyalist community.