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Anti-internment march: Tight security for republican parade and loyalist protest | Anti-internment march: Tight security for republican parade and loyalist protest |
(35 minutes later) | |
A major security operation is under way in Belfast for an anti-internment rally by republicans. | |
Loyalists are objecting to the parade that marks the anniversary of internment in August 1971. | Loyalists are objecting to the parade that marks the anniversary of internment in August 1971. |
The march began at about 13:00 BST in the north of the city and passed through Belfast's main shopping district. There are road closures. | |
At the same event last year, 56 officers were injured when loyalists protesters attacked the police. | At the same event last year, 56 officers were injured when loyalists protesters attacked the police. |
This year's republican march has been organised by the Anti-Internment League, to mark the introduction of detention without trial during the height of the Troubles. | This year's republican march has been organised by the Anti-Internment League, to mark the introduction of detention without trial during the height of the Troubles. |
The league has told the Parades Commission that it expected 4,000 people to take part in the march, with a similar number of supporters. | The league has told the Parades Commission that it expected 4,000 people to take part in the march, with a similar number of supporters. |
The rally began at Ardoyne Avenue in the north of the city. | |
The police advised motorists of traffic disruption. | |
Drivers were asked to avoid a number of areas including High Street, Royal Avenue, North Street, Millfield, Carrick Hill, Donegall Street, Castle Street and Frederick Street as roads are closed to traffic until at least 14:30 BST. | |
The Westlink and Dunbar Link remain open and diversions are in place. | The Westlink and Dunbar Link remain open and diversions are in place. |
Loyalist protesters have applied to stage two counter-demonstrations against the march. | Loyalist protesters have applied to stage two counter-demonstrations against the march. |
The Parades Commission has placed restrictions on the number of loyalists permitted to attend the protests, limiting them to total of 400 people at two demonstration points. | The Parades Commission has placed restrictions on the number of loyalists permitted to attend the protests, limiting them to total of 400 people at two demonstration points. |