3 November 2005 Edition

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Relief at passing of 'Love Ulster' rally

Nationalists at interface areas in North and West Belfast breathed a sigh of relief at the passing of the 'Love Ulster' rally held along the Shankill Road on Saturday 29 October.

Media sources claim several thousand people took part in the rally at Woodvale Park organised by unionist victims' groups and supported by the Orange Order.

Organisers had applied to bring 30,000 people on to the streets but say they are happy with the turnout despite estimates that only 2,000 took part.

Tensions at interfaces around West and North Belfast were high in the build up as nationalists feared a repeat of the Orange Order violence that followed the Whiterock parade in September.

The inaugural event heard speakers from the Protestant clergy, Orange Order and victims' groups accuse the British Government of ignoring the unionist community.

One of the organisers Willie Frazer of the victims groups FAIR said that wheels are in motion to hold a protest in Dublin.


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