|
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.
|
