Tensions at Whiterock as protests delay parade
ORANGEMEN have criticised the policing of the Whiterock parade in north Belfast on Saturday.
Marchers were left waiting for an hour at the contentious Workman Avenue Gate on the peaceline after two security alerts along the route of the parade.
Nationalist protestors climbed up the peace wall and waved an Irish tricolour before throwing bottles and golf balls at the 50 Orangemen who were eventually allowed through to the mainly nationalist enclave on the Springfield Road.
DUP deputy leader and North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said the PSNI "should have been more proactive in preventing this behaviour which went on for over half an hour and should also have done more earlier to ensure the disruption to the parade was prevented".
The Whiterock parade has been the focus of tensions between marchers and nationalist residents of the Springfield Road in recent years, with the Parades Commission placing restrictions on the route.
This year it had been agreed that 50 Orangemen without a band could parade through the gate to the mainly nationalist Springfield Road while the rest of the parade of Shankill District lodges and bands took an alternative route through the former Mackies site.
Earlier in the day, police had received a warning about suspicious objects left on the Springfield and West Circular roads, close to the route of the parade.
After examination by Army Technical Officers they were declared "elaborate hoaxes".
Mr Dodds described the protest as "the ugly face of republican fascism".
"As the District officers moved through Workman Avenue gate I saw a number of bottles and golf balls being thrown at them," he said.
"Orangemen behaved in a dignified and totally peaceful way showing no provocation and engaging in no retaliation.
"The police need to understand that if protests cannot be held without ongoing abuse and violence then they need to be taking more definite steps to protect innocent people going about their lawful business."
Chairman of Belfast District Policing Partnership DUP Councillor Christopher Stalford said: "The DPP will have serious questions to ask about the policing operation."
District Commander for North and West Belfast Chief Superintendent Mark Hamilton said: "A large scale policing operation was implemented at this year's Whiterock parade to ensure the safety of all participants.
"Police officers on the ground worked tirelessly to deliver a policing service that was appropriate and proportionate to the circumstances.
"We recognise the deep concerns expressed to us during the security alert and are grateful to politicians and community leaders for all their efforts in reducing community tensions.
"The PSNI remains committed to working with all interested parties to improve policing in north and west Belfast and in particular to reduce the potential for any disorder at parades in the district."
Meanwhile Sinn Fein MLA Fra McCann said the Springfield Road residents had wanted a peaceful protest.
"The longer the thing went on the more, the possibility there was of some type of trouble breaking out, but again only because of the good work of local residents and local stewards they were able to keep that at bay," he said.
"Bottles and stones don't serve any purpose at all. There were children at 11 and 12 years of age doing that."
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
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