moygashel

The banner was first removed by the PSNI on 5 June but replaced a day later.

A BANNER WHICH is being treated as a hate crime has been removed from a children’s playground in Co Tyrone for a second time by the PSNI.

The banner, outside a playground in Moygashel, is an AI-generated image which shows men being stopped at a barrier.

A sign by the men reads “not welcome, not wanted, not here”.

While the AI image shows men from the Sikh faith, it is understood that those who created the image intended for it to portray Muslims.

The banner appeared in late May and was first removed by the PSNI on 5 June, but was replaced a day later.

Today, the PSNI once again removed the banner from the playground.

A spokesperson said the banner is being treated as a hate crime and that the placing of it by the playground is being investigated as a criminal offence.

Speaking after the banner was removed for the first time, local Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew described it as an “offensive and racist banner”.

He added that it was “erected solely to sow hate and division in our community”.

“There is no place in our society for racism,” said Gildernew.

He added that “those who erected this vile banner have nothing to offer our society”.

Meanwhile, local DUP councillor Clement Cuthbertson today said: “Many have contacted me this morning regarding this two-tier police approach when dealing with banners”.

“The Dungannon area has witnessed no protests over this period of heightened tensions across the province and I am calling for calm heads over the next few weeks,” said Cuthbertson on social media.

He said he has “spoken to senior police this morning and asked them to come out and state who ordered this operation”.