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Orangemen demonstrate against marching ban in Belfast Orangemen demonstrate against marching ban in Belfast
(2 months later)
Thousands of Orangemen and their supporters have held a peaceful demonstration against a ban on them marching past a nationalist area of north Belfast.Thousands of Orangemen and their supporters have held a peaceful demonstration against a ban on them marching past a nationalist area of north Belfast.
Despite a heavy security presence there was no repeat of last weekend's violence which erupted after the police blocked local Orangemen returning home from 12th of July celebrations past the republican Ardoyne district.Despite a heavy security presence there was no repeat of last weekend's violence which erupted after the police blocked local Orangemen returning home from 12th of July celebrations past the republican Ardoyne district.
But the organisers of the protest on Woodvale Avenue vowed to return to the same spot every Saturday until three Orange lodges from the Ligoneil area were allowed to go back via their traditional route up the Crumlin Road that passes by Ardoyne.But the organisers of the protest on Woodvale Avenue vowed to return to the same spot every Saturday until three Orange lodges from the Ligoneil area were allowed to go back via their traditional route up the Crumlin Road that passes by Ardoyne.
The organisers of the protest warned ahead of it that any violence "would play into the hands of republicans".The organisers of the protest warned ahead of it that any violence "would play into the hands of republicans".
Although the area was tense during the demonstration the protest was heavily marshalled by men in Orange sashes and local loyalists from the Shankill Road area to prevent trouble.Although the area was tense during the demonstration the protest was heavily marshalled by men in Orange sashes and local loyalists from the Shankill Road area to prevent trouble.
Following a series of speeches denouncing the Parades Commission — the body that decided to ban the return march — the Orangemen, loyalist bands and their supporters walked away quietly from the police lines.Following a series of speeches denouncing the Parades Commission — the body that decided to ban the return march — the Orangemen, loyalist bands and their supporters walked away quietly from the police lines.
However, a smaller loyalist contingent is continuing to hold another protest at Twaddel Avenue, a Protestant thoroughfare blocked off from nearby Ardoyne by a line of police landrovers.However, a smaller loyalist contingent is continuing to hold another protest at Twaddel Avenue, a Protestant thoroughfare blocked off from nearby Ardoyne by a line of police landrovers.
The police were able to reopen the Woodvale Road to traffic around half past four once the bulk of the crowd had dispersed.The police were able to reopen the Woodvale Road to traffic around half past four once the bulk of the crowd had dispersed.
The scene on Saturday was in marked contrast to last weekend which resulted in five days of rioting and disorder across Belfast. To date, 78 people have been arrested over rioting related to the parades dispute.The scene on Saturday was in marked contrast to last weekend which resulted in five days of rioting and disorder across Belfast. To date, 78 people have been arrested over rioting related to the parades dispute.
Seventy-one police officers — 68 from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and three drafted in from Britain — have been injured. Among those arrested and charged with rioting offences was an Englisman from Wolverhampton, Jake Watkiss, who joined rioters a week after arriving in Belfast to show he could "fit in with the locals", Belfast magistrates court was told.Seventy-one police officers — 68 from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and three drafted in from Britain — have been injured. Among those arrested and charged with rioting offences was an Englisman from Wolverhampton, Jake Watkiss, who joined rioters a week after arriving in Belfast to show he could "fit in with the locals", Belfast magistrates court was told.
Ahead of the march the Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers warned that ongoing violence linked to the parades dispute would hamper the search for fresh investment and new jobs for Northern Ireland.Ahead of the march the Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers warned that ongoing violence linked to the parades dispute would hamper the search for fresh investment and new jobs for Northern Ireland.
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