Opponents block controversial Orange parade in Northern Ireland

Conflicts

Opponents block controversial Orange parade in Northern Ireland

The Protestant Orange Order was due to march in a Catholic part of Portadown in Northern Ireland. But opponents are blocking the controversial march. Is a political crisis brewing?

The confrontation between members of the Protestant Orange Order and counter-protesters continues in a predominantly Catholic part of the Northern Irish town of Portadown. The controversial parade, which was permitted by authorities for the first time since the 1990s, has remained blocked since the early hours of Sunday.

Despite heavy rain at times, hundreds of counter-demonstrators have blocked the march route approved by the authorities since the early hours of the morning, according to the BBC. According to the British news agency PA, there was still a large crowd on site late in the evening local time (after midnight CEST). The parade, in which 35 participants but no bands or supporters were allowed, could therefore not start.

According to reports, high-ranking members of the in Ireland and Northern Ireland’s pro-reunification party Sinn Féin, including the Northern Irish Prime Minister, Michelle O’Neill. According to PA, she called on protesters to stay on site until at least midnight. Gavin Robinson, the leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Northern Ireland, strongly criticized Sinn Fein’s participation in the demonstration. The political opponents Sinn Fein and DUP are involved in the Northern Irish unity government. British Northern Ireland Minister Chris Bryant said he would return to Belfast earlier than planned to speak to politicians from both sides.

Northern Ireland’s Prime Minister O’Neill called for “calm on all sides” at X. The Sinn Féin politician also wrote that she supported the right of residents to protest “against this unwanted sectarian march.” “This march should not go down Garvaghy Road.”

The decision, which a court confirmed that night, was preceded by a bitter dispute. The authorities had banned marches across the street since 1998. In the 1990s, the so-called Drumcree conflict resulted in some serious violent clashes.

The Orange Order was founded in 1795 as an alliance to preserve the monarchy and Protestantism in the small town of Portadown. At the time, its members were seeking protection from attacks by Irish Catholics.