Northern Ireland Secretary Bans Drumcree Parade
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant banned the Drumcree parade on Friday night. Bryant said the march was “not in the public interest.” The Orangemen wanted to march through Garvaghy Road in Portadown, Northern Ireland.
Catholic residents had blocked that route. The ban followed a standoff between Orangemen and nationalist residents.
The BBC said it lasted almost two weeks. The Guardian put it at 13 days.
The Parades Commission had approved a limited march before the ban. The police chief asked Bryant to review that decision.
Police stopped the march after protesters blocked the road. Bryant said both sides were consulted.
But no compromise was reached. He wanted to ease tensions between Protestants and Catholics in the region.
Residents welcomed the ban. But Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson criticized it. He said the ban weakened the rule of law.
Key Terms 4
- Orangemen Members of the Protestant Orange Order, who hold marches in Northern Ireland.
- Nationalist People who want Northern Ireland to join the Republic of Ireland.
- Parades Commission Group that decides which marches can go ahead in Northern Ireland.
- Drumcree A disputed Orange Order march in Portadown, Northern Ireland.