South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin make submission to Parades Commission on November 24th City Centre Protest

Published: 14 November, 2007

Alex Maskey, Sinn Fein MLA for South Belfast, and councillor for Laganbank, along with Sinn Féin's East Belfast Representative Niall Ó Donnghaile today met with the Parades Commission, to express their concern at the proposed parade, by the "pride of the raven flute band" for the 24th November.

Niall Ó Donnghaile said:

"The proposed route will take this parade past the Short Strand, Markets and lower Ormeau Road. The parade is being organised as a protest against the Parades Commission and the PSNI for an alleged leak of personal details.

The organisers of the parade have in the past, repeatedly breached both determinations and the Parades Commission Code of Conduct for parades and parade organisers whilst participating in parades along interfaces at the Newtownards Road and Albertbridge Road.

It is my understanding that the Short Strand Residents Group have evidence of these breaches and have had these recorded by the PSNI. The route will take the parade past the Short Strand twice."

Alex Maskey added:

"This is even before there is an assessment of the impact on city centre trading and the potential for disruption and disorder.

The Parades Commission should be giving serious consideration to making a restrictive determination on this protest.

It is my opinion that this proposed route is not only highly irresponsible but also deliberately provocative.

If this parade is permitted to proceed along this route, it could have a detrimental effect on relations along these interface areas and may have potential for disorder and disruption."

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