Nationalist Rioting on the Garvaghy Road
John Blair
On Saturday 26 May 2001a Junior Orange Parade, consisting of one band
and a total of 20 Adults and Children was given permission by the
Parades Commission to walk on the Lower Garvaghy Road. The Parade
passed of peacefully.
150 nationalists attacled the police lines later, and attacked the
RUC. 57 police officers were injured and as they defended themselves
fired 6 plastic bullets. It is estimated that the Parade took anbout
four minutes to pass.
The significance is that 3 years after the Belfast "Agreement" Brendan
McKenna (convicted of burning down Portadown Masonic Hall) cannot
tolerate any expression of Unionist or Protestant culture. The other
aspect to it is that McKenna willo hope that the Parades Commission
will be intinidated into banning the main Drumcree march in July.
The Belfast Agreement requires Unionist compromise, but endorses
Nationalist intransigence
CONCERNED ULSTERMAN