Top Issue 1-2024

2 July 2013

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'Traditional and cultural' – Short Strand residents abused by Orange Order followers

‘This community had to endure yet another massive policing operation to facilitate a parade organised by people who continue to refuse to engage with the Short Strand residents’

NO Orange parade, it seems, is complete without a rendition of the sectarian and racist Famine Song or drunken, thuggish mobs shouting abuse at nationalist residents.

And so it was on Monday night, 1 July, as the annual east Belfast ‘mini Twelfth’ took place along the Albertbridge Road and past the homes of nationalist homes in the Short Strand.

Attempts by the PSNI to minimise the tension, while largely successful, still didn’t prevent the sectarian abuse and flag-waving provocation that is clearly part of the cultural rituals of followers of Orangeism.

With tension in the area high, there were three petrol-bomb attacks on residents’ homes in a week. The PSNI moved in early on Monday afternoon to erect steel screens.

Their plan was to channel the Orange parade past Short Strand with as little contact as possible.

However, at the main road junction at Albertbridge and Ravenhill Roads, at a break in the PSNI wall, Orange Order supporters, clearly under the influence of alcohol, gathered to wave Union flags and a UVF flag and shout sectarian abuse.

When one band stopped and played the infamous Famine Song, the mob cheerfully joined in.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, local Sinn Féin Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile said:

“I am thankful that tonight’s parade passed off peacefully.

“I want to commend the dignity and resolve of those residents along the Albertbridge Road who held a peaceful protest this evening. A substantial amount of work and engagement has been ongoing in the Short Strand area to ensure a peaceful night for all.

“I would thank also those community and youth leaders locally who provided substantial diversionary events for children and young people.

“The reality, however, is that this community had to endure yet another massive policing operation to facilitate a parade organised by people who continue to refuse to engage with the Short Strand residents.

“It is important to remember that the only homes on this stretch of the Albertbridge Road are on the nationalist side and it makes no sense to have such a large volume of supporters along this route of the parade only to antagonise residents who live there.

“I witnessed a number of breaches of the Parades Commission determination at tonight’s parade, including the display of numerous paramilitary flags.”

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