The South Belfast MLA was speaking following it was reported that PSNI Chief constable Jon Boutcher has revealed plans to take stronger action on removing public displays linked to proscribed organisations.
Ms Bradshaw stated: "It has long been my party's position that not enough is being done to address paramilitarism including with regard to the placement of symbols demarcating territory as 'belonging' to one group or another. The most sinister examples of this are flags appearing on new housing estates promoting division and overtly Islamophobic posters promoting outright hate, whose presence absolutely cannot be tolerated in any society.
"I welcome the change in the PSNI’s approach to removing hate displays in public by introducing new guidance, and would also welcome clarity from the PSNI on whether an amendment to either section 12 or 13 of the Terrorism Act would be beneficial to law enforcement, allowing for the seizure of any article on reasonable suspicion that it has been displayed in support of a proscribed organisation.
“I have written to the Secretary of State in support of such an amendment, as it would remove any doubt that emblems of proscribed organisations, most obviously paramilitary groups, have no place on public property and must be removed immediately.
"My forthcoming Private Member's Bill is designed to address many of these issues, but a change in PSNI policy and in existing law applying across the UK would greatly simplify the process. What we are seeking to achieve is an end to the idea that those who support violence can continue to exert coercive control over entire communities, by backing the work in communities designed to move people away from paramilitarism and by removing their self-claimed right to place the symbols of paramilitary groups or expressions of hate on public property.
"We cannot allow another generation to be condemned to growing up in communities defined by paramilitarism and gangsterism. It is time for clear action. We welcome any moves from the Chief Constable to take that action, and we will continue to seek any legislative routes to ensure the rule of law applies equally across all communities."
Ms Bradshaw stated: "It has long been my party's position that not enough is being done to address paramilitarism including with regard to the placement of symbols demarcating territory as 'belonging' to one group or another. The most sinister examples of this are flags appearing on new housing estates promoting division and overtly Islamophobic posters promoting outright hate, whose presence absolutely cannot be tolerated in any society.
"I welcome the change in the PSNI’s approach to removing hate displays in public by introducing new guidance, and would also welcome clarity from the PSNI on whether an amendment to either section 12 or 13 of the Terrorism Act would be beneficial to law enforcement, allowing for the seizure of any article on reasonable suspicion that it has been displayed in support of a proscribed organisation.
“I have written to the Secretary of State in support of such an amendment, as it would remove any doubt that emblems of proscribed organisations, most obviously paramilitary groups, have no place on public property and must be removed immediately.
"My forthcoming Private Member's Bill is designed to address many of these issues, but a change in PSNI policy and in existing law applying across the UK would greatly simplify the process. What we are seeking to achieve is an end to the idea that those who support violence can continue to exert coercive control over entire communities, by backing the work in communities designed to move people away from paramilitarism and by removing their self-claimed right to place the symbols of paramilitary groups or expressions of hate on public property.
"We cannot allow another generation to be condemned to growing up in communities defined by paramilitarism and gangsterism. It is time for clear action. We welcome any moves from the Chief Constable to take that action, and we will continue to seek any legislative routes to ensure the rule of law applies equally across all communities."