This summer’s Fleadh brought Belfast to life. For eight days, the city was filled with music, dancing and people celebrating together. From the Shankill Road Defenders Flute Band to Celtic Roots to ArtsEkta , musicians from all traditions were represented and we all got a glimpse of what life here could be like The Fleadh is already returning in 2027, but 2028 would be particularly special. It will mark the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and bringing the Fleadh back would give Belfast a joyful, shared celebration of how far our city has come.

Hundreds and thousands of us have been able to enjoy the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture - because of the pedestrianisation of Belfast City Centre. With no cars and more public space, it has created a safe and lively environment for all of us to soak up all the music and craic this week. What the Fleadh has proved is that pedestrianisation can work in Belfast City Centre and other places across the North. However, this is only temporary. When the Fleadh ends on Sunday, so will the temporary pedestrianisation of our streets. But that hasn’t stopped thousands of us asking the same question to friends and family: what if Belfast’s streets were like this all the time? We call on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to pedestrianise more streets in Belfast and other places across the North.

Last week, the Belfast Telegraph reported that three PSNI officers charged with domestic violence offences in recent years quietly resigned from the force while under investigation for misconduct. This means they face no consequences for what they’ve done. That’s because there is a loophole where officers can resign or take early retirement to stop these investigations. But it doesn’t have to be this way. This loophole doesn’t exist in England and Wales - and Scotland is set to change the rules very soon. PSNI officers should not be able to stop investigations over their misconduct. We call on Justice Minister Naomi Long to close this loophole by adding amendments to her upcoming Justice Bill. 

Every time people call for better public services, we hear the same answer from Stormont: there’s no money. No money to cut waiting lists. No money to improve schools. No money to fix broken infrastructure. No money to properly invest in the services people rely on every day. Stormont may not control every tax lever, but it does have real power over rates and reliefs. That means it can make choices about who is asked to contribute more, and who gets protected. We call on Finance Minister John O'Dowd to implement the following measures:  1. Scrap the cap on rates for the most expensive homes 2. End the rates discount for big industrial companies 3. Make multinational companies pay more in rates 4. Windfall tax on major polluters and high-profit companies

The roads across Newry and surrounding local areas have reached an unacceptable state of neglect. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians are forced to deal with severe potholes, failing road surfaces, and dangerous driving conditions on a daily basis. This isn't just an inconvenience—it’s costing local people real money in vehicle damage (blown tyres, damaged suspension, and broken alloys) during an already tight financial climate. More importantly, it creates major road safety hazards for families, commuters, delivery drivers, and emergency services trying to navigate our routes safely. Temporary, single-pothole patch jobs are crumbling within weeks, wasting public funds and leaving our communities with a deteriorating road network. By signing this petition, we can send a strong, united message to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) that Newry and surrounding areas deserve proper, long-term resurfacing and a transparent maintenance plan. Together, we can force real action and make our local roads safe again.

People need to come together, this affects us all. What about living next to a data centre with the loud noise pollution relentless, your property values plummets, you can’t ever sit in your peaceful garden again nor hear the sound of birds and the bees! Will you be happy with this? I certainly wouldn’t and if we don’t all stand and shout and say, no! It’s going to happen to you and everyone near you!!!

“Get that man out of here before he does himself any more damage.” That’s what Ian Paisley Jr said when he saw Jeffrey Donaldson try to kiss a female MLA without her consent in 2018. His response is telling - rather than confront this behaviour or support the victim, his priority was to protect the political careers of DUP members. This is just one of many stories about Donaldson’s behaviour that have come out since he was sentenced for child sex abuse crimes. And questions are mounting as to what the DUP knew about Jeffrey Donaldson, when they knew it, and whether their actions prioritised victims, or their own political interests. DUP leader Gavin Robinson has announced an independent review into its handling of information about Donaldson. But right now, it’s unclear how open that will be, and whether all the details will be revealed. This can’t be a whitewash. The DUP needs to know that people here are horrified and we won’t accept anything less than the full truth about who knew what, and full accountability for failures. We, the undersigned, demand that Gavin Robinson puts the interests of victims and survivors before party and faith. 

Jeffrey Donaldson has been convicted of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency. We know that many of us have been reading the reports from the courtroom over the past few weeks, shocked and disgusted by his actions, and in awe of the bravery of the two women who took this case, against one of the most powerful men in Northern Ireland. Jeffrey Donaldson and other powerful men hide behind their status, and official titles like knighthoods as cover for their abuse.  We call on the UK Honours Forfeiture Committee to strip him of his title as soon as possible. 

1. Leadership The worst times bring out the best in people, and we saw that this week. Community organisations and ordinary people from every background, community and colour stepped in to support their neighbours when statutory services failed: evacuating people from burning homes, offering refuge and essential supplies, and transport to exams and appointments. We demand: • Concrete plans on anti-racism and refugee integration • Multi-agency, joined-up emergency response to the levels of crisis. • Proactive leadership to combat racism and stereotyping 2. Justice Currently, there are no specific offences in law for prejudice-motivated crimes, including hate crimes. Yet, annual PSNI statistics show that race hate crime in Northern Ireland has reached its highest level since records began. We demand: • Enact hate crime legislation • Effective racial equality law • Accountability of public authorities 3. Investment We know what we need in our communities, and we know what keeps us safe - decent work, access to healthcare, investment and youth and community services. Now, we need our political representatives to work together and deliver for everyone who calls here home. Migrants and other minoritised communities cannot be scapegoats for these institutional failures. We demand: • Investment in migrant-led organisations • Investment in community services • Investment in social housing

Hillsborough is well known as a picturesque and historic Georgian village. There's a great atmosphere here with our busy main street shops, cafes, pubs and businesses. We are very lucky to live in such an idyllic and desirable village and we must do everything to protect this.  Every summer for at least six weeks this idyllic village is covered with flags; this damages the villages reputation and is viewed by many from all political persuasions as a cheap and tacky eyesore which is tribal and perhaps even threatening - none of which is in keeping with the welcoming nature of the village we all love living in.  I propose that there needs be to a change to the number, size, distribution and the length of time these flags are flown. We can achieve a satisfactory outcome for all with mutual understanding and mature discussion.  Please support this petition to preserve the beauty and community values of Hillsborough. 

Moyola Precision Engineering is a known manufacturer of components for the F-35 fighter jet program. These aircraft are actively used by Israel as the primary delivery system for the bombardment of Gaza, a genocide that has killed over 20,000 children since 2023. Expanding this facility implicates our community in these ongoing atrocities. We urge Mid Ulster Council to immediately review and reverse this planning decision, honor its BDS commitments, and stop promoting the arms trade in our community. Not in our name. Not with our taxes. Fund our services, not war. Please sign and share this petition to demand accountability and protect the moral integrity of our district!

Why Therapy Notes should not be admissable as evidence against victims/survivors As it stands, counselling notes can be used in court against a survivor of abuse if deemed relevant by a judge.  An abuser accessing the therapy notes of the person they harmed is a violation of a victim/survivor’s rights to healthcare. Counselling and therapy are an essential part of the healing process for many survivors.  Therapy notes are not evidence and should have no place in a criminal trial-they are only included as a way to dig up potential means to discredit victims of gender and sexual violence, a practice common in the legal system that is imbued with misogynistic perpetuation of rape myths.  Why ‘Good Character’ References should be banned in trials relating to Gender & Sexual violence A key recommendation contained within the Gillen Review was the need for measures to be introduced at the outset of any trial to combat rape myths. The ongoing use of good character references flies in the face of this - as it is rooted in the false idea that someone who has ‘good character’ is incapable of perpetrating abuse.  Character references have NO place is cases of GBV. They are retraumatising for survivors, and hold no weight in determining if abuse has taken place. Abusers are often masters of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim Offender) tactics. The Minister for Justice, Naomi Long, has said she will examine the issue as part of her department’s review of sentencing policy, but with the hope to change the legislation in the next Executive term. But we need action now.