Has Deal Opened Roads For Orange Parades - RNU

international | crime and justice | press release

Saturday February 06, 2010 12:55

by Mairtin Og Meehan - Republican Network for Unity (RNU)

RNU Speaks about North Death

The REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) spokesperson, DANNY MCBREARTY, responding to the concerns of nationalist residents of areas targeted for Orange sectarian parades, asks” whether the DUP has been given ’product’ in the form of changed procedures designed to ease the way for Orange feet to march down nationalist roads.”

“Today’s deal undermines the legal procedures and mechanisms which have blocked Orange marches from trampling on nationalist victims on the Garvaghy Road and other although not all routes. The DUP, advised by the Orange Order, demanded and is apparently satisfied that the new arrangements will deliver product

“Nationalists were told that Sinn Fein was not playing poker and would not pay the price of Orange feet on the Garvaghy Road, or Ardoyne. Residents of those areas now question whether they have been played like poker chips. Has their right to be free of sectarian Orange parades in their areas been bartered away beneath the political cover of a deal that has satisfied the DUP and Orange Order? Have the DUP and Orange been told that such parades could not be granted outright, but would be delivered in the guise of new arrangements designed to yield results to their liking?

“We challenge Republicans to look at how much has been given up to achieve so little. The entitlement of the SDLP to head the ministry was given up and a DUP veto awarded in exchange for this compromised Stormont ministry. Like constabulary boards and partnerships, this watered down ministry will not make the British constabulary accountable but merely made Sinn Fein accomplices.

“RNU will continue to confer with residents in these areas and will support join with other nationalists and Republicans to support them against any attempt to facilitate Orange marches in their streets.”