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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Press Statements

WHITEROCK PARADE

9 September 2005

The officers and members of the Belfast County Grand Orange Lodge today issued the following statement:

The County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast affirm their support for the members of No.9 District LOL and their intention to walk their traditional route on the annual Whiterock parade. The parade is an expression of Orange culture that the Secretary of State, PSNI Commanders and the discredited Parades Commission appear determined to deny to the Protestant and Unionist communities of North and West Belfast.

Appeasing nationalists and pleasing republicans have become the main considerations when dealing with all issues in Northern Ireland. The Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist communities are ignored, discriminated against and continually demonised. All things green are progressive, positive and promoted, while all things Orange are negative, sectarian and suppressed.

The County Grand Master Dawson Bailie commented: "It is worth remembering that (1) No.9 District, supported by the local parades forum, postponed their parade in June to avert serious trouble; (2) Orange members, bands and supporters came under brutal and sustained attack by republicans at the Ardoyne shop fronts on two occasions; (3) The local parades forum entered into a dialogue process with those from a different tradition; (4) The West Belfast PSNI have consistently failed to consult with the local Protestant community regarding the Whiterock parade, a fact recognised by the government.

"Yet in spite of all the risks taken, the responsible leadership shown and the pain suffered by the local communities, the parades forum and the Orange Order are faced with yet a further attempt to humiliate and suppress our culture".

Therefore, the County Grand Lodge call on their members and friends to actively support the Whiterock parade and any legitimate protest action that the wider Unionist community may be forced to take over the coming weeks.

Nationalists and republicans will come to understand that exercising a cultural veto through their Parades Commission puppets will not be allowed to continue without consequences. We are no longer prepared to tolerate the erosion of our British identity and cultural traditions as a consolation prize for republican fascists who failed to achieve their so-called Ireland of Equals through their murderous terror campaign. We, the Orange Institution in Belfast, welcome the support of all strands of Unionism, as party differences are set aside to send a clear message to all those who oppose us. Enough is enough.

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