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Belfast: Heavy police presence ahead of anti-internment parade | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
There is a heavy police presence in Belfast city centre ahead of a republican anti-internment parade on Sunday afternoon. | |
Earlier, police made a direct appeal to the event's organisers to discuss the planned route and timing with them. | |
Police are concerned that the march may not comply with a Parades Commission determination. | |
They said they had made attempts to talk to the group themselves, but they had not been successful. | |
The march has been organised by the Anti-Internment League, to mark the introduction of detention without trial during the height of the Troubles. | The march has been organised by the Anti-Internment League, to mark the introduction of detention without trial during the height of the Troubles. |
Road closures | |
Three loyalist groups have organised counter-protests. | Three loyalist groups have organised counter-protests. |
The Parades Commission had imposed a timing restriction, and said the parade "must have fully cleared the Divis Street/Millfield junction by 13:30pm". | The Parades Commission had imposed a timing restriction, and said the parade "must have fully cleared the Divis Street/Millfield junction by 13:30pm". |
It has been reported that the organisers intend to delay the start of the parade until 14:00 BST. | It has been reported that the organisers intend to delay the start of the parade until 14:00 BST. |
Some roads in the city centre have already been closed including North Street, Royal Avenue and High Street. | Some roads in the city centre have already been closed including North Street, Royal Avenue and High Street. |
Translink has said some its services will operate via Dunbar Link until further notice. | Translink has said some its services will operate via Dunbar Link until further notice. |
'Appeal for calm' | |
In a statement, Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said: "We are continuing to appeal for calm for today's events. | |
"Despite our best efforts none of the people responsible for today's parade have come forward to engage with police to clarify their intentions. | |
"We continue to recognise the concerns of the wider community. | |
"A substantial police operation is currently in place and we will do everything we can to keep people safe and protect and uphold the rights of all involved. | |
"The police intention is to uphold the Parade's Commission determinations." | |
At the same event two years ago, 56 officers were injured when loyalists protesters attacked the police. | At the same event two years ago, 56 officers were injured when loyalists protesters attacked the police. |