A Tangled Web

Standing Up to be Counted



I wholeheartedly support the stance of the Orange Order over the issue of the Ligoniel parade restrictions this coming Monday. In the light of the Parades Commission decision, no self-respecting Unionist could ever believe this quango was established with any other objective than to slowly strangle Orange culture.



Republican Ireland has argued in the past that certain Orange parades must be restricted because they pass through 'nationalist areas'. Let's just forget for one moment the incredible magnitude of intolerance and divisiveness demonstrated by Irish nationalists down the years over the question of Loyal Order processions. If we take their protestations at face value (try not to laugh!) then why are restrictions being placed on a march which proceeds only in close proximity to a nationalist area?



If the aim of Irish republicanism is to squeeze the life out of Orange Order marches, then the Parades Commission is the garotte used to achieve such a purpose. The only request I make is for peaceful demonstration on the Twelfth. Should the PSNI then take robust action in beating demonstrators off the streets, the pro-Union community will have conclusive proof that an arm of the same State to which it collectively professes loyalty, is prepared to trample on the rights of Unionists to satisfy the pertinacity of rebels, insurgents and cultural fascists.



Good grief, if restrictions are now going to be placed on marches passing close to mulish nationalists, what next!? Are we going to see the Orange Order banned from parading on the same island because it is inhabited by nationalists? I fear that is the latter's preferred outcome.