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Thousands gather for city parade Thousands gather for city parade
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of people have gathered in Belfast city centre for a a homecoming parade for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.Thousands of people have gathered in Belfast city centre for a a homecoming parade for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
A major security operation is in place as there are a number of other parades, both for and against the event.A major security operation is in place as there are a number of other parades, both for and against the event.
Sinn Féin has organised a demonstration against the British Army's role in the Troubles.Sinn Féin has organised a demonstration against the British Army's role in the Troubles.
Several thousand people have also walked down the Shankill Road with banners welcoming the soldiers.Several thousand people have also walked down the Shankill Road with banners welcoming the soldiers.
About 150 dissident republican protestors from a group called Eirigí gathered in the Divis Tower area.About 150 dissident republican protestors from a group called Eirigí gathered in the Divis Tower area.
Crowds of people carrying a banner marched up Oxford Street towards police at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.Crowds of people carrying a banner marched up Oxford Street towards police at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.
Supporters welcome troops to city centre
Earlier, the RAF cancelled a planned fly-past and said soldiers at the parade would be unarmed.Earlier, the RAF cancelled a planned fly-past and said soldiers at the parade would be unarmed.
Sinn Féin changed the route of its protest to try to avoid conflict and told troublemakers to stay away.Sinn Féin changed the route of its protest to try to avoid conflict and told troublemakers to stay away.
Despite the concessions made on both sides, there are still fears that some loyalists and republicans could infiltrate the peaceful protesters.Despite the concessions made on both sides, there are still fears that some loyalists and republicans could infiltrate the peaceful protesters.
'Looking for trouble'
Sinn Fein said it was inappropriate to mark the homecoming because British troops were responsible for the deaths of Catholic civilians during the Troubles.Sinn Fein said it was inappropriate to mark the homecoming because British troops were responsible for the deaths of Catholic civilians during the Troubles.
But unionists said the Army had every right to walk the streets of Belfast. They said that the changes made to the parade meant troops in Northern Ireland would receive a different welcome home than soldiers elsewhere in the UK.But unionists said the Army had every right to walk the streets of Belfast. They said that the changes made to the parade meant troops in Northern Ireland would receive a different welcome home than soldiers elsewhere in the UK.
People gathered for Sinn Fein protest at Dunville Park in west Belfast
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has warned dissident republicans opposed to his party's role in Northern Ireland's devolved government not to "piggy back" on the protest.Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has warned dissident republicans opposed to his party's role in Northern Ireland's devolved government not to "piggy back" on the protest.
"Anybody looking for trouble shouldn't be coming here," he said."Anybody looking for trouble shouldn't be coming here," he said.
BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson said the event was being seen as a test for the new peaceful era in Belfast.BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson said the event was being seen as a test for the new peaceful era in Belfast.
Politicians on all sides have appealed for demonstrators to be calm and dignified, he added.Politicians on all sides have appealed for demonstrators to be calm and dignified, he added.
Will you be at the parade? Are you against it? Will you be protesting? Send us your comments using the form below:Will you be at the parade? Are you against it? Will you be protesting? Send us your comments using the form below:
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