Marchers and residents commended at peaceful parade
The annual Whiterock Orange Order parade has passed off peacefully, despite fears of violence in west Belfast.
There was a substantial security presence during the parade as a large crowd had gathered to watch the Orangemen walk down Workman Avenue and onto the predominantly nationalist Springfield Road.
Earlier this month the Parades Commission ruled only members of the host lodge would be able to walk down the Springfield Road, where on Saturday nationalist residents gathered to register their objection to the parade.
The commission rejected a request by the North and West Belfast Parades and Cultural Forum for a silver band to accompany the lodge on this year’s march.
The remainder of the parade continued through the Old Mackie’s Factory site as in previous years.
North and West Belfast Parades and Cultural Forum member Tommy Cheevers said there have been many frustrations for the Orange Order:
“I’m disgusted with the Parades Commission’s decision,” he said.
“This district has worked tirelessly over the years to build up a relationship with Catholics across the Springfield Road, they’re in dialogue with all sorts of stakeholders.
“The Parades Commission was actually quite abusive to us when we went in to speak to them and I’m not even sure we’ll go in again. We have to sort that out in the days that lie ahead.”
Sinn Féin MLA Paul Maskey said although tensions are high, the actions of the residents of the Springfield Road should be recognised.
“People of this road have been restricted to their homes, but they have to be commended for their peaceful actions.
“I hope people can react to other parades the way the Springfield Road residents have. They protested, but in a peaceful manner.
“Tensions are heightened and we have called for unionists politicians to do as much as they can to stop parades like this, and stop that tension.”
Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay congratulated both marchers and protesters on their responsible approach.
“There was a very high standard of community co-operation and community marshalling and everyone went to great lengths to ensure the event passed off without incident. It is testimony to the commitment and leadership of all involved that an event such as this, and any associated protests, can take place peacefully.
“The parade passed off without serious incident and that is largely due to a lot of hard work that went on beforehand behind the scenes.
“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.”
In 2005 petrol and blast bombs were thrown at police during the parade.
While last year’s parade passed off peacefully, a small number of residents held a protest along the route of the march.
Meanwhile Ardoyne residents held a protest on the Crumlin Road on Saturday afternoon.
The Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective demonstration comes after trouble broke out at the Tour of the North parade in the area last week.
Four police officers were injured when loyalist and nationalist protesters threw missiles, as officers in riot gear formed a security barrier at the top of Twaddell Avenue.
