Throughout the summer there has been a sustained sectarian loyalist campaign against nationalists. Unionist leaders, including Ian Paisley and Reg Empey, have been muted in their response to this and have failed to use their considerable influence to bring this campaign of sectarian violence to an end.
The comments of Dawson Baillie were just as bad.
The way to resolve contentious parades is through dialogue and agreement. Not only have unionist leaders failed to show leadership in tackling sectarian attacks but they are now fanning the flames of sectarian violence with irresponsible and dangerous comments.
But it not a failure of leadership, it is negative leadership.
There is a responsibility on all of us within political and civic society to combat inequality and discrimination in all of its forms.
However, the more recent attacks upon the nationalist community have once again exposed the inherent weaknesses within unionism throughout the years – that it is ambivalent, half-hearted and one-sided when it comes to condemnation.
Over these past days and weeks the response from both political and civic unionism to the ongoing loyalist campaign has been muted, to say the least.
Whilst we have seen some church leaders come out and openly condemn attacks upon nationalists, others have buried their heads in the sand and have pretended that all around them is tranquil.
This weekend a man was viciously set upon by up to 10 others in a blatantly sectarian attack near the Short Strand area and currently lies in a serious condition in hospital. The Orange Order and unionist politicians cannot distance themselves from such attacks and the tensions which flow from contentious parades.
It is more than coincidence that the last time there were tensions around the Springfield Road parade, loyalists entered the Short Strand and viciously assaulted a local resident.
Invariably, innocent nationalists bear the brunt when tensions are raised, roadblocks are erected and threats emanate from members of the Orange Order.
Unionists like Reg Empey seem more concerned about a contentious parade in West Belfast than to find time to address the ongoing campaign of violence on his own doorstep.
I want to wholeheartedly welcome those people who have stepped forward. People like Presbyterian Moderator Harry Uprichard visited two Ballymena schools after they were attacked, albeit after being criticised for his lack of response to the issue. Perhaps wiser counsel is beginning to prevail in some cases. But for every one person who has stepped up to the plate, there are many others around them who remain silent.
Understandably, many nationalists feel vulnerable and angry at the lack of political leadership within unionism, the inaction of the PSNI and relative silence from both governments on the issue.
The Irish and British governments have a responsibility to protect people from sectarian violence and the fear of attack and intimidation. They must stop ignoring loyalist violence and the ambivalence of the PSNI towards it.
Yet this summer both governments have failed to protect nationalist communities.
Thus far, due to the discipline of nationalists and republicans, things have remained relatively calm. However, there is a concerted attempt underway to draw young nationalists and republicans into conflict at interface areas across Belfast.
I want to appeal to people to remain calm in the face of the offensive rhetoric of unionist politicians and the actions of unionist paramilitaries.
I want to take this opportunity to urge all of those in positions of influence to use that influence to help bring an end to the attacks and intimidation which we have witnessed on an almost daily basis.
The time for occasional condemnation has long since passed. What is required is for community leaders to be proactive rather than reactive, and begin a programme of outreach and meaningful engagement and dialogue with those from other political traditions.
