UK: N.IRELAND: ORANGEMEN PROTESTS

Описание: (3 Jul 2000) English/Nat

Northern Ireland's Orangemen have vowed to continue their protest at Drumcree after the Parades Commission barred them from marching along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road.

Although the main march didn't materialise on schedule, large groups of protestants gathered and were prevented by police from going into a nationalist area.

By early evening the threatened Orange march through Portadown and along the Garvaghy road hadn't materialised.

But hundreds of Unionists still gathered to face off against riot equipped police.

In Drumcree, the traditional scene for flashpoints between Orangemen and security services, 50 men led by leading Loyalist Johnny Adair gathered behind a banner reading: "Shankill Road UFF Second Batt C Coy."

A convicted terrorist, Johnny Adair marched down on the army barricade and climbed on an army vehicle with the banner to huge cheers.

Their group, in white T-shirts with the words "Simply the Best", stood in silence for about 20 minutes, 50 yards from army Saracen armoured vehicles which blocked the way to the Garvaghy Road.

But there's a heavy army presence around the Drumcree church.

The Parades Commission has ruled for the third year running that there will be no march down the Garvaghy Road, a decision which has inflamed loyalist anger and heightened tension around the province each time it has been made.

This year's march had been planned for Sunday, July 9.

Portadown Orangemen refuse to talk face-to-face with the Garvaghy Road residents group because, they say, it's fronted by republicans.

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