Republicans and loyalists gathered on the streets of Glasgow on Sunday, where the groups led opposing demonstrations over the Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
Cairde na hÉireann, meaning Friends of Ireland, and other republican groups flocked to the stairs outside Buchanan Galleries in the city centre, with members from loyalist groups on the other side of the stairs.
Police separate rival demonstrations
A line of police officers separated both groups, though there did not appear to be any intimidation from either side, and Police Scotland later confirmed no arrests were made.
The republican side was protesting against the recent decision from the Parades Commission, which gave the go-ahead to the Orange Order to host a walk down Garvaghy Road for the first time in 28 years. The Drumcree parade, which was associated with violent clashes during the Troubles, has been banned since 1998.
Loyalists support decision
The loyalist side was there in support of the decision. Additionally, the republican side flew pro-Palestine flags and banners, while the loyalist side protested against illegal immigration.
Both sides appeared to protest peacefully, with no obvious taunting or slurs heard exchanged between the two groups. A handful of passers-by shouted their support for whichever side they favoured, but no violence took place.
Political reaction to parade ruling
Last week, First Minister, and Sinn Féin vice-president, Michelle O’Neill said the reignition of the Drumcree dispute “brings into question how this whole peace process works”. Party president Mary Lou McDonald called on Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant to intervene to ban the parade.
She said the people of the Garvaghy Road would “not be drawn back to the past”. Ms McDonald said: “We have spent all night here, all night talking to people, listening to people, seeking to reassure people that actually this can be resolved, and it must be.
“So here is what needs to happen now – the Secretary of State needs to intervene. The chief constable of the PSNI needs to intervene and put a stop to this.
“This is madness. This, in fact, is primitive treatment of any community in the year 2026. It is intolerable, and it will not be tolerated. The mood here has been peaceful. It has been united and orderly.
“This is a dignified and united community, and they are absolutely determined that they and we will not be drawn back into the past. That is the message from Garvaghy Road today.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: “A First Minister’s duty is to uphold lawful decisions, not inflame opposition to them. The rule of law cannot apply only when Sinn Féin likes the outcome. Our institutions are founded on respect for the police, the courts and the rule of law.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appealed for “calm on all sides” over the Orange Order parade, saying there have been “big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don’t want to see things go backwards”.
