A Study In Toleration
It is interesting to compare and contrast the attitude of
people to given situations.
A number of Orange parades have for years been opposed by
some who cannot tolerate a faith or culture that is not theirs.
The contrast with what happens in the predominantly Protestant
town of Kilkeel could not be more extreme. Each year on St.
Patrick's Day (17th March) and 15th August Nationalist Bands
parade Kilkeel morning and evening.
Let us consider a few basic facts.
- It is traditional to have these parades in Kilkeel.
BUT
- None of the four bands participating in the parade are
local.
- Bands travel from up to four miles to parade Kilkeel before
and after their main parade in other towns.
- A triumphalist and aggressive crowd of "supporters"
travel from a wide area to gather in the town centre.
- These "supporters" have in recent years been
involved in violent attacks on the Police and on Protestants
trying to go about their normal business.
- The parade route passes several Churches and is directly
through an area that is at least 80% Protestant.
- A
huge security presence is required to police the parade
through the town (It is estimated that as many personnel
are required to put this parade through Kilkeel as are required
to prevent Portadown Orangemen walking home from Church
along the Garvaghy Road).
- The parades disrupt the business and community life of
the town for a number of hours.
Despite all the provocation the Protestants of Kilkeel have
not reacted. Instead they have shown tolerance and respect
for another community.
What a difference that is to Garvaghy Road, Ormeau Road,
Bellaghy ....... the list goes on.
A recently established residents group in Kilkeel "Mourne
Residents For Justice" spell it out very clearly when
they say "The roads of Kilkeel like those in the rest
of Ulster do not belong to anyone. Nationalists have a right
to use them for their traditional parades. The same however
has to be said for Orange parades".
Why do republicans not show the tolerance of the
people of Kilkeel? Only those like Brendan McKenna and Gerrard
Rice can provide the answer.
Isn't it time more people started
to ask the question?
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