The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland on the eve of the historic
first meeting of the new Northern Ireland Assembly wish to
announce its determination to ensure that our traditional
parades over the July period occur unhindered and without
fear of physical attack. The Assembly brings renewed hope
for the return of democracy for the people of our Province
and we affirm that accommodation, not segregation, is the
way ahead if permanent peace and stability is to be achieved.
The Grand Lodge Officers have consulted widely within the
Institution and have taken soundings from the wider community
as to the mood and the public's wishes with regard to our
parades. The conclusion reached is that we have a unified
and determined Orange and Unionist family who believe that
their culture and identity have been the target of a vicious
and well-organised and ongoing Sinn Fein/I.R.A. campaign.
As an organisation we have taken on board genuine concerns
and comments of those within the nationalist community who
are not controlled or influenced by terrorists. There has
been improved marshalling of our parades and self regulation
in respect of music, and those who accompany local Orangemen
on parade. We have talked widely, both locally and regionally,
to interested parties from a wide spectrum of political and
denominational perspectives. We will be engaging many of these
groups again in dialogue, along with others in the days ahead,
to canvass their opinions and outline our case in the hope
of better understanding and tolerance of our position.
We will be adhering to our policy of not engaging with residents'
groups influenced by terrorist organisations nor with the
Parades Commission, a discredited Government quango clearly
susceptible to political interference. The policy of not engaging
with republican terrorists is mirrored by that adopted by
the unionist political parties. Nationalists speak of managed
change, as we enter a new era. But the ongoing banning and
re-routing of our parades would lead the Orange family to
believe, that this means republicans decide the change and
the Parades Commission manage it.
This Orange Institution cancelled four of its Twelfth anniversary
parades last year in the interests of peace and stability
in this country. This was a sacrifice recognised by many ordinary
people, both nationalist and unionist. However, no effort
was made by those in power and with influence to reciprocate
or acknowledge the importance of those meaningful, highly
positive decisions.
We should not be required to make such sacrifice this year
nor will we. We condemn yesterdays decision and those recently
taken by the Parades Commission which interfere with our parades
and infringe our civil rights. As an Institution we will render
whatever support necessary to local Brethren to ensure all
our Boyne anniversary parades proceed along their traditional
routes.
There is a determined effort by republicans to close main
arterial routes to one tradition; roads which have been shared
by all communities down the years. This attempt at sectarian
ghettoisation is wrong. Small narrow-minded groups within
local communities should not be permitted to control who travels
along such roads. Such segregation did not work in South Africa,
nor did it work in the southern states of America. Such cultural
apartheid cannot be allowed to work in Northern Ireland. Our
community has resisted such tyranny, whether it be the Nazis
in the Second World War or from the physical force Irish republicanism
of the past 30 years. We will not allow the principles of
civil and religious liberty for all to be infringed. This
is a principal which applies to all members of society regardless
of race, creed, denomination or sex.
We fully recognise that with such rights also comes responsibility.
We have exercised responsibility in our willingness to take
on the concerns of those who would not sympathise with the
aims and ideals of our Institution. Our responsibility is
visible by our orderly and peaceful parades and protests which
are frequently complimented by the R.U.C. and others.
Members of the Orange Institution simply want to celebrate
their culture and identity in a traditional and peaceful manner.
There is no agenda of coat trailing; no triumphalism. We do
not intend to offend anyone and we will take into account
all reasonable suggestions on the public manifestation of
our traditions. However, there are clearly those who will
go to any lengths to be offended and who are not prepared
to accommodate the views of others. Quite simply, these people
are against everything that is Orange, British and Protestant.
As a community dedicated to peace and stability in Northern
Ireland we must not allow such people to dictate and force
their views on others.
We ask for the support of the wider Unionist family over
the coming weeks, when through peaceful means only, we will
seek to ensure that our heritage and our integrity is protected
and upheld. We do not want to be associated with those who
would use violence: a stone thrown by an Ulster loyalist is
surely a victory for our republican enemies. We will win through
by using the truth and by engaging in peaceful united protest.
We sincerely hope and pray common-sense and justice will ultimately
prevail.
We would appeal to the nationalist community to show the
same accommodation and toleration of Orange traditions that
we give to Gaelic and Roman Catholic culture. If there is
to be any hope for the future in Northern Ireland, accommodation
not segregation is the way ahead.
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