Image Source: Belfast Telegraph BY JAMAL ANDRESS Protests erupted in Northern Ireland this week, specifically the city of Belfast, over how often the British flag can be flown over the capitol. “Police in Northern Ireland have used water cannons after coming under attack from loyalist protesters in Belfast for the third day in a row.” ( Video via BBC ) Talk about patriotism... The Belfast city council voted a month ago to cut down on how often the Union flag is flown — from all year round to only certain days. And certain members of the community have been protesting ever since. Until recently, demonstrations only took place on Saturdays and were peaceful in nature. But as CNN reports things have turned violent in the last few days. “ Authorities are also investigating reports that a number of shots have been fired at police lines. More than 30 petrol bombs were thrown at officers during serious disorder in the same part of the city on Friday night. They were also pelted with ball bearings, fireworks and masonry, injuring eight officers.” So why the uptick in violence? Sky News reports. “The problem is the protestors have really given up on politics, they have lost faith in politics and in their political leaders. That’s why their venting their anger in such a violent way.” Northern Ireland’s secretary of state, conservative MP Theresa Villiers , has chimed in to the debate but not to take a side. She claims the real loser in this whole debacle is the image of Northern Ireland to potential investors. “ The incredibly damaging thing is the image it projects of Northern Ireland around the world...Northern Ireland is in a global race for investment and jobs and we need to be projecting the reality of a forward-looking, modern Northern Ireland, not one which is tied up in the kind of conflict which is associated with its past rather than its present. ” To date, 14 protesters have been arrested amid the demonstrations, and more than 40 police officers have been injured.