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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Press Statements

Parades Policy

17 June 1997

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland at its Meeting on 11 June 1997 discussed the Parades issue in detail.

In the interests of clarity in relation to our stance on Parades the following Policy Statement was agreed.

The basic controlling principle is that together will all law-abiding citizens Orangemen possess certain inalienable rights. Among these is the right of free assembly, and that necessitates the right to proceed in a peaceable and orderly manner to and from the place of assembly, whether it be a church or other venue. We hold that these rights are non-negotiable. There can be no question of one group of free citizens having to ask permission from any other self-appointed authority to walk the public highways of our land. No one community owns the roads of Ulster.
It is irrefutable that Sinn Fein/I.R.A. is manipulating certain "residents groups" with a view to preventing or impeding Orangemen in the exercise of their civil rights. This therefore prevents law-abiding Orangemen from talking to such groups. Orangemen are not afraid to talk but there are people with whom they cannot in conscience discuss these matters. No reasonable person can expect dialogue under such circumstances. The responsibility rests with such a group to demonstrate that they are not being manipulated by an organisation whose clear aim is to drive Protestants out of their land, and to kill them if necessary.

However Orange representatives can enter into discussions with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

In the event of a procession being prohibited or re-routed the right of peaceful protest still remains, and should be exercised. In any such protest, the law of God, the laws of the land and the laws of our Institution must be fully respected by all Orangemen. Specifically, no verbal or physical abuse shall be offered to members of the Police or other Crown Forces, or to anyone else. As an offence against morality such action would merit expulsion.

With the possibility of more reasonable situations obtaining in other areas - there is a need to educate and inform people of good-will in many communities. Such people require a clear understanding that though we are unapologetically committed to the Reformed Faith and Loyal to the Constitution, our processions are not "triumphalist" nor are they intended to be offensive to any person, whatever their faith. Such a process of information will require meeting and talking with people who are committed to the principles of democracy and peace. This will not be to "ask permission" to walk, as it is sometimes incorrectly alleged. It will be to ascertain what the local problems are, and seek to allay the fears of the community. There must be no betrayal of our principles in discussions taking place under these circumstances. Our members must not be misled by any mischievous or malicious propaganda to the contrary.



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