Whiterock Parade passes off peacefully

Published Saturday, 30 June 2012

The annual Whiterock Orange Order parade has passed off peacefully in west Belfast.

Orangemen march on Saturday as onlookers protest. (© Pacemaker)

Hundreds of Orangemen and bandsmen took part in the march on Saturday amid a heavy police presence.

A small number of members were allowed to walk on part of the predominately nationalist Springfield Road.

There was a small nationalist protest against the parade.

District Commander Chief Superintendent George Clarke said that he was "pleased and encouraged by the respectful way in which the parade and associated protests were conducted and marshalled."

He continued: "There was a very high standard of community co-operation and everyone went to great lengths to ensure the day passed off without incident.

"Balancing the rights of all interested parties is never easy. A parade like this is looked upon from many viewpoints, including those of the local residents, the marchers and the protesters."

The senior police officer said that there was no disorder and no need for police intervention which he believed to be an indication of a successful day.

Comments

24 Comments

henry in north belfast wrote (326 days ago):

michael, you need to read my post again or get an elder to read it for you as you havent a clue as to the point of my post, i dont mention ardoyne in my post and nither do i say that the orangemen come to march pass ardoyne , but i would lay a bet that they do, as for transport to the marches well thats the orange orders problem not the people of ardoynes, and didnt the orange order call for all members and none members to come to drumcree to help them down the road, you are what you are michael a bigot

Michael H in Belfast wrote (326 days ago):

Henry in North Belfast. I am from Ballysillan and therefore have to go past the Ardoyne shops to be able to 'march up and down the Shankill' so your argument has no merit. Lets see, if the orangemen and their supporters use buses they are bricked, if the orangemen walk they are bricked. Maybe the good folks of Ardoyne would like to pay for helicopters as it is the only way I can see that those of us from Ballysillan can get to the City Centre on the 12th. There is no other way. They can't march past the Old Park, past the Cliftonville, past Cave Hill so the best way is past the shops and some 12 houses. Otherwise it would go past hundreds of Nationalist houses. Do you get it now??? And when has lodges from all over the world paraded past Ardoyne. First I knew of this......

seamas in belfast wrote (326 days ago):

Ed. You’re entitled to remain British. But Britons don’t have an absolute right to march. They don’t have a right to march wherever and whenever they like. In Britain the authorities have a right to restrict marchers’ rights. No-ones suggesting that the OO don’t march, just that they take a different route. A different route, by the way, that is also the Queen’s highway. Would that not be the reasonable thing to do? Would that not avoid any trouble? Would that not be the respectful thing to do? Or maybe you feel catholic residents don’t deserve respect.

henry in north belfast wrote (327 days ago):

for years on years and even before the troubles orangemen came from all over the globe to march in these parades and to this day they still do, so please tell me Mark what right have they to come here and march pass the ardoyne shops or any other place were they are not wanted and thats what its all about(they are not wanted by the people who live in these areas should it be only one person who lives on the route then they have the right to say no that they dont want it or is it only orangemen and their hangers-on that have rights, yas can march up and down the shankill till the cows come home and no one would care but then what would be the point in that seeing as that wouldnt offend anyone and theres no fun in that is there MARK, no march no protest = no trouble

ed in belfast wrote (327 days ago):

seamus for every obstacle you put in the way it also strengthens a desire to remain british , wake up and smell the coffee mcguinness is working his way to inclusivity amongst both you need to try it yourself, come along to one of the parades and check out the hospitality , be my guest and see we are all the same just different traditions so you wont need to take offence

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