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The District Master and District Secretary, Raymond Spiers
and Harry Whiteside of Ballymacarrett No. 6 District L.O.L.
East Belfast have been charged with participating in a parade
where inappropriate music was played at an inappropriate location
on 12th July 2004. It is as yet unclear the exact nature of
this charge.
However from comments made by senior police officers over
the last 12 months the PSNI and Parades Commission have both
highlighted the playing of traditional Orange tunes such as
the 'Sash' and 'Derry's Walls' as Loyal Order parades have
paraded along the Newtownards Road. The District Chaplain
and local clergyman Rev. Mervyn Gibson commented there is
uproar in the community that there is an attempt to deny local
people the opportunity to celebrate their culture on 12th
day.
Belfast County Master Dawson Bailie said subjudice prevented
him from commenting on the specifics of the cases, but he
was 'appalled by this sinister development'. He added that
such charges 'have implications for all of Belfast County,
if not the Orange Order province wide'.
The decision to prosecute some of the District officers involved
in organising traditional Boyne celebrations comes in light
as draconian powers have been given to the Parades Commission
to 'control' spectators. While the nature and scope of this
new legislation is being played down this year, because the
Government and PSNI failed to consult the community as promised
prior to its introduction, it is expected it will become an
integral part of the Parades Commission republican agenda.
Other charges against the two brethren include 'unduly delaying
the parade returning to East Belfast'. The context of this
allegation relate to attempts by republicans and the Parades
Commission to prevent members and supporters of Ligoniel Lodges
returning home from the annual 12th July celebrations. Belfast
County officers outlined they had a strategy to manage this
very difficult situation - the primary aim of which was to
support the safe and peaceful return of the Ligoniel parade
home.
The officers stated that there was a fear as parades returned
to their local areas throughout Belfast that members and supporters
would make their way to Ardoyne shop fronts - a situation
not wanted by the local community, lodges or the PSNI. Therefore
it was decided to delay all parades returning home to prevent
this possibility. It was agreed that all such delays were
to occur only on roads already closed by the PSNI because
of parades and every effort made to ensure the free flow of
traffic.
Deputy County Master Tom Haire added, 'that crowds awaiting
local parades were kept fully aware of what was happening
in order to minimise tension and stop the spread of rumours'.
He continued 'No 6 District worked hard to ensure this was
the case in East Belfast, indeed they had facilitated the
Ligoniel Lodges to walk at the front of the return parade
from Barnett's Park at the request of the PSNI, to ensure
they were at Ardoyne shop fronts as early as possible'. While
the County regretted the injuries cased to the security forces
by republicans at Ardoyne, they were pleased from an Orange
perspective their members, bands and supporters behaved impeccably
and the strategy had been effective in complimenting the work
of the North and West Belfast Parades Forum in maintaining
the peace.
When contacted re the pending prosecutions North Belfast
MP Nigel Dodds stated "This is an absolute disgrace that
law-abiding members of society are being hounded in this way."
He added "the Parades Commission has nothing positive
to contribute to the Unionist community only misery and discrimination,
the sooner they become history the better".
The Grand Master, Robert Saulters received the first badge
produced by No.6 to support the legal costs surrounding the
case and further expected cases. The badge depicts the five
pointed star, which we are proud to wear, surmounted by musical
notes representing the attack on our culture and surrounded
by the legend - Parades Commission Criminalises Protestants.
The Grand Master commented - "These brethren have my
full support, the 'cultural apartheid', which has been practised
by the Parades Commission since its formation is now being
compounded by Orangemen being prosecuted for celebrating their
culture. If we dont begin to stand up to the Commission's
arrogance and bullying then the whole fabric of what we hold
dear is in danger".
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