The Parades Commission has confirmed that an Orange Order parade in north Belfast will go ahead on Saturday, despite objections from a nationalist residents’ group. The Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) had asked for an urgent review of the decision to allow it, claiming it was based on “misleading and inaccurate information.”
The parade, which will involve passing the Ardoyne shops, was approved despite the group’s objections. It was applied for to mark Orange heritage week. The commission has imposed conditions, including instructing a band not to play music or beat drums as it passes the shops. However, CARA has maintained that the parade is outside of a 2016 agreement which sees five morning parades occur each year and that the Orange Order recently stated the agreement had broken down.
Saturday’s event will take place at 09:00 BST and last an hour, moving between Woodvale and Ligoniel. It will involve 150 people, including a band, but no supporters. CARA is seeking permission from the commission to stage a protest, claiming it will be a “dignified and low-key” event.
The Parades Commission has said it is considering CARA's request for a review of the determination. The commission’s decision to allow the parade has been met with criticism from some politicians and residents’ groups.
The 2016 Agreement
The 2016 agreement was a landmark deal that aimed to reduce tensions around parades in the area. The agreement was reached after years of conflict and violence, which culminated in a stand-off between Orange Order members and residents of the Ardoyne area. The agreement saw the Orange Order agree to a number of concessions, including a reduction in the number of parades and the introduction of new restrictions on music and drumming.
However, the agreement has been increasingly strained in recent years. The Orange Order has claimed that the agreement has broken down and that the Parades Commission has not been fair in its decisions on parades. This claim has been contested by some residents’ groups, who argue that the Orange Order has been deliberately trying to undermine the agreement.
CARA's Concerns
CARA has expressed a number of concerns about the parade. The group argues that the parade is a breach of the 2016 agreement and that it will exacerbate tensions in the area. CARA has also claimed that the decision to allow the parade was based on misleading information and that the commission did not take into account the potential impact of the parade on community relations.
The Parades Commission’s Response
The Parades Commission has defended its decision to allow the parade, arguing that it did not receive any evidence that the parade would lead to disorder or disruption. The commission also said it would pay close attention to participants’ conduct. However, the commission's decision has been met with criticism from some politicians and residents’ groups, who argue that the commission has not taken the concerns of residents seriously enough.
The Future of Parades
The decision to allow the parade is likely to further escalate tensions in the area. It remains to be seen whether the Orange Order will be willing to compromise on its demands for parades, or whether residents’ groups will be willing to accept a parade that they see as a breach of the 2016 agreement.
The future of parades in the area is uncertain, but it is clear that the decision to allow the parade on Saturday is likely to have a significant impact on relations between communities in north Belfast.
A Tensions-Filled Weekend
The upcoming weekend will be a tense one for north Belfast. With a parade in the heart of the area, tensions will be high. It is important that all parties involved act with restraint and respect for each other. It is also important to remember that the Parades Commission is an independent body and that its decisions should be respected. It is hoped that the parade will pass off peacefully and that it will not lead to further escalation of tensions in the area.
