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Orange Order postpones parade through Belfast city centre | Orange Order postpones parade through Belfast city centre |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Orangemen in Belfast have called off a parade due to take place in the city centre on Saturday. | Orangemen in Belfast have called off a parade due to take place in the city centre on Saturday. |
The Orange Order said the decision was taken after listening to the views of city centre traders and the community. | The Orange Order said the decision was taken after listening to the views of city centre traders and the community. |
Two bands and about 200 participants had been due to parade through the city centre on one of the busiest days for Christmas shopping. | Two bands and about 200 participants had been due to parade through the city centre on one of the busiest days for Christmas shopping. |
The march had been planned to show support for Ligoniel Orangemen over the re-routing of their 12th July parade. | The march had been planned to show support for Ligoniel Orangemen over the re-routing of their 12th July parade. |
The order's Sandy Row District Loyal Orange Lodge No 5 said it was postponing the parade until early next year, "as an act of goodwill in this Christmas season". | The order's Sandy Row District Loyal Orange Lodge No 5 said it was postponing the parade until early next year, "as an act of goodwill in this Christmas season". |
It said "the heightened level of security due to republican terrorism" was also a factor in its decision. | It said "the heightened level of security due to republican terrorism" was also a factor in its decision. |
'Encouraging' | 'Encouraging' |
SDLP North Belfast assembly member Alban Maginness said it was "the sensible thing to do", and "it would be churlish not to welcome it". | SDLP North Belfast assembly member Alban Maginness said it was "the sensible thing to do", and "it would be churlish not to welcome it". |
"The fact that they've considered the views of business people in the city is encouraging," he added. | "The fact that they've considered the views of business people in the city is encouraging," he added. |
The DUP deputy lord mayor of Belfast, Christopher Stalford, said it was a "positive step" that "reflects the desire of Orangemen to see their city grow, thrive and expand". | The DUP deputy lord mayor of Belfast, Christopher Stalford, said it was a "positive step" that "reflects the desire of Orangemen to see their city grow, thrive and expand". |
"It demonstrates that the Orange institution in Sandy Row, and in Belfast more generally, has shown a degree of flexibility and leadership that has been sadly lacking from those who oppose their right to parade, and from the Parades Commission," he added. | "It demonstrates that the Orange institution in Sandy Row, and in Belfast more generally, has shown a degree of flexibility and leadership that has been sadly lacking from those who oppose their right to parade, and from the Parades Commission," he added. |
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said it was "progressive of the Orange Order, that they not only consulted with traders, but reacted positively to their message". | |
"I understand this is a postponement rather than a cancellation, and while I support the motivation, which is to support the Ligoniel lodges, I will continue to question the use of the tactic of street protest, which has no record of success in Northern Ireland in terms of bringing about political change," he added. | |
The Ligoniel lodges were prevented from parading past the Ardoyne shops interface on the homeward leg of their Twelfth of July demonstration. | The Ligoniel lodges were prevented from parading past the Ardoyne shops interface on the homeward leg of their Twelfth of July demonstration. |
Several nights of rioting took place after the march was stopped. | Several nights of rioting took place after the march was stopped. |
Since then a loyalist protest camp has been in place at the Twaddell Avenue in support of the campaign to complete the parade. | Since then a loyalist protest camp has been in place at the Twaddell Avenue in support of the campaign to complete the parade. |
The order said it "would continue to encourage our members and friends to support the ongoing protest and parades at Camp Twaddell and the Woodvale Road". | The order said it "would continue to encourage our members and friends to support the ongoing protest and parades at Camp Twaddell and the Woodvale Road". |