parades

“At the end of the day there has to be a realisation from republicans that they don’t own the road”

Pete Baker on August 2, 2010, 9:00 pm

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There’s a lot of coverage of today’s “worthwhile” meeting between Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and the North and West Belfast Parades [and Culture] Forum. Not that the North and West Belfast Parades Forum haven’t met others before. And as the UTV report notes Forum spokesman Tommy Cheevers said the mood of the meeting was “business-like.” “This is not about negotiating over individual parades but about finding a way forward.” When asked if Sinn Fein should be “prepared to compromise” on the …

“It is part of the outworking of the Hillsborough Agreement…”

Pete Baker on July 15, 2010, 6:32 pm

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Interesting comment yesterday from Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd on the end of the consultation period on the Sinn Féin/DUP drafted Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill [pdf file] – which a significant number of diverse groups are opposing. From the SF statement “This legislation is an attempt to find a better way forward. It is part of the outworking of the Hillsborough Agreement. It is only designed to be about the issue of parades and related protests. Concerns raised by Trade …

“some of the draft Bill’s restrictions to the freedom of assembly are not proportionate or necessary”

Pete Baker on July 14, 2010, 4:41 pm

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We’ve seen opposition from the Orange Order’s Grand Lodge, and from Queen’s University law lecturer Vicky Conway, and from Newry and Mourne Council [Adds – And from Residents Groups]. And, as wj pointed out, the Committee on the Administration of Justice [CAJ] have published their submission to the consultation on the Sinn Féin/DUP drafted Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill [pdf file]. Here are some extracted paragraphs from the submission [pdf file] On “Disproportionate Restrictions to Freedom of Assembly” Although we recognise the particular difficulties surrounding parades …

“The content of this bill seeks to remove the Parades Commission…”

Pete Baker on July 14, 2010, 12:35 pm

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Newshound spots an interesting report in the Newry Democrat. I’ve already noted the decision by the Orange Order’s Grand Lodge. Now it’s reported that, at a specially convened meeting, Newry and Mourne Council have agreed to oppose the Sinn Féin/DUP drafted Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill on the grounds it is “an infringement of civil liberties and human rights“. According to the Newry Democrat report [SDLP group leader Councillor Gary] Stokes said Sinn Fein has “joined forces” with the DUP in promoting the …

What a difference 5 years make

Blank on July 13, 2010, 6:35 pm

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In 2005 Ardoyne had exactly the same problems surrounding the 12th of July parade as those that transpired last night (and it has been going on a lot longer than that). Back then, a full five years ago, 80 police officers were injured during what Gerry Kelly described as control being lost for for a time. In that distant almost forgotten, for some, era he fully blamed the Orange Order for creating the conditions that resulted in the violence: The …

Tensions rising, again, in Belfast

Pete Baker on July 12, 2010, 7:39 pm

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UTV reports police have fired baton rounds in north Belfast where they are attempting to remove protesters who have blocked the Upper Crumlin Road near the Ardoyne shops. UTV are also reporting an attempt to block the Ormeau Road. A number of hijacked vehicles during the day are also causing security alerts elsewhere in the city. Other sporadic incidents were also reported today in Lurgan and Armagh, including an attempt to set fire to a train in Lurgan. Adds Clearly some commenters could do …

“But that money can only be delivered if we deliver…”

Pete Baker on July 9, 2010, 11:21 pm

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Via Newshound. The Impartial Reporter has some interesting quotes relating to what’s been happening on the ground in Newtownbutler. A source close to the residents of Newtownbutler revealed that when [Sinn Fein Councillor and Chairman of the Newtownbutler Residents Association Thomas] O’Reilly brought the proposal back to the residents, he told them that cross-community money was available through the Peace 3 Programme if they “delivered”. According to our source, Mr. O’Reilly said: “Over the past couple of years there has been some talks …

“This is an attempt to curtail liberties and rights…”

Pete Baker on July 8, 2010, 3:26 pm

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As I mentioned yesterday, there is a growing lobby opposed to the DUP/SF drafted legislation on contentious parades public assembly. The Guardian has a short post by Dr Vicky Conway of the Human Rights in Ireland group blog. As the post at the Guardian points out The Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill, published on 20 April of this year, stems from the Hillsborough Agreement of February which established a committee to deal with parading issues. Recognising the competing rights of all relating to parades …

“Wake up”, indeed.

Pete Baker on July 7, 2010, 3:30 pm

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News that the Orange Order’s Grand Lodge has voted to reject the proposals contained in the draft legislation [pdf file] on contentious parades public assembly has prompted a rant about the “Orange State” from Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd – one member of the ‘working group’ responsible for the proposals. But, as we’ve noted on Slugger previously, they are far from being the only group opposed to the legislation. As Eamonn McCann pointed out in the Belfast Telegraph recently In a discussion …

Belfast – a tale of three protests

Blank on June 25, 2010, 8:51 pm

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Belfast is protest central tomorrow – for the leftie, libertarian, socialist, republican or just plain serial moaner you are positively spoilt for choice. In the best traditions of protest, you will have to choose because three protests take place separately and are essentially competing. You could join the protest against the DUP/SF drafted bill that would restrict the right to public assembly – Stop the Public Assemblies Bill, leaving the Arts College at 12pm heading towards the City Hall. You …

“rather than maybe do what people want to hear…”

Pete Baker on June 2, 2010, 8:38 pm

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Police calls for politicians in potential trouble-spots to be more proactive in encouraging the resolution of contentious parades and reducing tensions have produced a furious reaction from… erm… politicians in potential trouble-spots… In reaction to the comments Junior minister Mr Kelly said: “The question to ACC Finlay is why did he do it and where does he get the arrogance to say that there’s not enough being done when in fact throughout the year – not just at this time coming into …

Police exchange programme: Training? Operational deployment? Both?

Pete Baker on June 1, 2010, 4:09 pm

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In response to the concerns raised by the chairman of the South Yorkshire Police Federation, Bob Pitt, the reported statement by the PSNI appears to confirm that the “training programmes in NI” for police officers from Yorkshire, Northumbria and Strathclyde over the next few months may involve operational deployment. From the BBC report Bob Pitt is chairman of the South Yorkshire Police Federation. “Obviously our concern is for PSNI officers in the first instance, they’re the ones who are currently facing targeted violence …

Want a parade? When do you want it? Now! What about in just 3 days time?

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 23, 2010, 10:32 pm

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There still seems to be a bit of misunderstanding about the consultation paper issued by OFMDFM on Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests in Northern Ireland. It’s even been covered on Slugger … though Brian did point to the small relevant print. Talk about parades and all you’ll hear a lot of talk about 37 days. Section 13 explains that notice should normally be given to OPAPP (Office of Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests) during working hours on a working day …

DUP/Sinn Fein’s 37 day plan for public protest..

Mick Fealty on May 17, 2010, 11:48 am

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Interesting that just as a coalition between the Lib Dems and Conservatives with civil liberties being one of the key issues takes power in Westminster the joint DUP/Sinn Fein committee report on what replaces the current parades commission, is being chewed over in public (the report was delivered during the election campaign period). Eamonn McCann: “Public meeting” is defined as “a meeting of 50 or more persons held in a public place to which the public or a section of …