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

Decision To Cancel Protest Parade Welcomed

Published: 21 November, 2007

South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey and East Belfast Representative Niall Ó Donnghaile have welcomed the cancellation of a protest parade by the Pride of the Raven FB which was due to take place this Saturday.

Welcoming this, Alex Maskey said:

"I welcome the fact that common sense has prevailed in this situation. From the outset, the intention of the organisers was dubious and obviously a lot of people have had an influence on this decision."

Niall Ó Donnghaile added:

"While I welcome the fact that Short Strand residents will now not have their lives affected by this protest parade after the decision by the protest organisers, there remains a number of unanswered questions in relation to the Parades Commissions handling of this whole affair. Many people will still question why the Commission was permitting this protest to pass the Short Strand not once but twice while at the same time restricting the protest from Donegall Pass. This was an acceptance of the intimidatory nature of the protest to residents of Donegall Pass while at the same time sending the message that intimidation of the Short Strand is acceptable.

Again we state our belief that direct meaningful dialogue can be the only solution to the parades issue in East Belfast."