Giving into Orange Order intimidation

So, Darryl Hewitt, District Master of Portadown's Orange Order, (May 28) is offended that the residents of Garvaghy Road are reluctant to welcome an Orange Order parade through their area.

News Letter Morning View (May 28) cites parades at Rossnowlagh and Londonderry as examples of uncontroversial loyal order parades.

I doubt the residents of Rossnowlagh and Derry would be keen to facilitate Orange Order marches if the violence which accompanied Orange parades down Garvaghy Road was to be visited on them.

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Has the Orange Order forgotten the result of their 1998 march which culminated in the fire-bombing of the Quinn family home in Ballymoney resulting in the deaths of three young brothers?. This appalling act was followed by the murder of RUC man Frankie O’Reilly as he carried out his policing duties outside Drumcree parish church.

Furthermore, papal flags, in addition to Catholic religious statues, are now being set alight atop Orange Order bonfires. Orange Order bands play sectarian tunes as they pass Catholic churches, and some Orange Order bandsmen have even taken to urinating against Catholic churches.

Orange Order marches have been outlawed at Garvaghy Road by the British government appointed Parades Commission because they are designed to, and do, offend, and Orange Order apologists, which regrettably include some senior unionist politicians, continue to defend the indefensible.

The Order provides religious camouflage for those members who wish to continue to maintain a system of privilege and power.

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For society to bow to the sectarian and undemocratic demands of the Orange Order is tantamount to permitting the state to be governed according to the principles of sectarian mob-rule. Neither the nationalist community nor the rule of law should acquiesce to threats and intimidation.

Tom Cooper, Chairperson, Irish National Congress

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