A North Belfast residents’ group who are holding a parade through the streets of Ardoyne in protest against the controversial Orange Order parade tomorrow (July 12) have called on locals taking part in their parade to act “peacefully and with dignity”.
The Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC) have been granted permission by the Parades Commission to hold a counter parade at 5pm, one hour after the Orange Order parade has been instructed to return past nationalist homes on the Crumlin Road.
GARC held a similar parade through Ardoyne last year. Three nights of rioting erupted after the Orange Order parade passed.
GARC spokesperson Dee Fennell said anyone seeking to cause violence is not welcome.
“We wish to see people taking part in our parade who represent all that is good about our community - inner strength, dignity, co-operation, respect, determination and resistance,” he said.
“The people of Ardoyne do not want violence and GARC want to yet again re-emphasise that point. Violence only serves the interests of those who demand sectarian marches through our area, causes undue suffering to the people of Ardoyne and criminalises our community.”
He said the Parades Commission’s decision to bring the Orange Order return parade forward to 4pm is designed to ban GARC’s parade “by proxy” if violence breaks out before it has started.
“History shows us that the Orange Order march passing results in violence, violence that GARC is opposed to and has consistently stated is totally unacceptable,” he said.
“This being the case we view with cynicism the Parades Commission’s determination to grant us permission to access the Crumlin and Ardoyne Roads. Should trouble break out prior to our parade setting off, it will be the senior PSNI officer in charge on the day who determines our route.
“What the Parades Commission have done is ban our parade “by proxy”.”
granting permission but setting in motion a train of events that they hope will ensure it is unable to take place on the day. They will fail.”
