The "negative and sinister influence" of paramilitary murals close to schools in Northern Ireland must be removed, according to Alliance education spokesperson Naomi Long.
Ms Long, councillor for east Belfast, made the call as part of the party's campaign against sectarianism, saying that it was time the authorities took action to remove such graffiti and paramilitary murals.
"For too long, the authorities have turned a blind eye offensive murals and sectarian graffiti. A start needs to be made to removing these symbols of sectarianism, starting with schools," she said.
Ms Long added that the exposure of such images to children on a daily basis was not healthy.
"Exposing children to such horrific images on a regular basis is a form of child abuse," she said.
Ms Long said the Alliance Party would work with the public to create a neutral environment for children to be educated in and "to replace them with more positive symbols that celebrate the history and culture of the entire community".
