'Overtly political and provocative Palestine march risks inflaming tensions': Call for Gaza walk clashing with D-Day event and Scarva counter-protest to be rerouted, after trouble flared last year
A pro-Palestine march is set to clash with counter-protesters at Scarva for the second year in a row – this time with a D-Day commemoration happening in the same place as well.
Organised by a branch of the group Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the march will see crowds walk from Lurgan to Newry – said to be 25-mile route matching the length of the Gaza Strip.
It’s taking place on June 6, the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings, and is set to pass the heavily unionist Co Down village of Scarva.
Unionist politicians are adamant it shouldn’t happen, with TUV leader Jim Allister branding the march an “overtly political and provocative event” imposed on Scarva against the village’s wishes, while DUP MLA Gareth Wilson called for it to be rerouted.
Last year’s Gaza event, which included people carrying the banner of at least one Irish nationalist political party, saw disorder around Scarva, with a heavy police presence as four people being arrested and three cautioned.
This year, there will not only be counter-protesters in the area but a flute band marking the D-Day anniversary.
The march, counter-protest and D-Day event have all filed applications to be in Scarva on June 6. Each of the three has been marked “sensitive” by the Parades Commission, though decisions on them aren’t due for another two weeks.
Much of the Palestine marchers’ route is along the Newry Canal towpath, which runs through the heart of Scarva. Organisers say around 1,500 people are to walk the path.
A group called Scarva Concerned Residents has applied for a counter-protest involving 100 people, while Markethill Volunteers Flute Band wants to stage a D-Day commemoration and sponsored walk on the towpath during late morning and early afternoon.
With 500 people taking part and another 500 watching, the D-Day event is to move up the path in the opposite direction to the Palestine demonstration, before returning to Scarva.
North Antrim MP Mr Allister argued the Gaza march “risks inflaming community tensions”, stating: “Organisers cannot credibly claim ignorance of the sensitivities surrounding the village, or of the tensions which such a procession is likely to generate within the local community – particularly in light of the disorder created by the parade last year.
“It would be irresponsible to disregard the very real fears and opposition expressed by local residents. There is a compelling argument that the balance falls firmly against permitting this procession to proceed through the village.
“No community should be expected to tolerate what is widely perceived to be a deliberately contentious political demonstration imposed upon it against its wishes, and which has no cultural or historical significance to the area.”
Meanwhile Mr Wilson suggested last year’s clash shows “a majority of residents in Scarva do not welcome the pro-Palestinian march passing through the village”.
Added the Newry and Armagh MLA: “The sponsored walk organised by Markethill Volunteers Flute Band has a end-point of Scarva, while the conclusion of the pro-Palestinian march is in Newry. It should therefore be possible for the route of that Palestine march to be amended, which could allow both to proceed whilst minimising potential problems.”
A PSNI spokeswoman told the News Letter the force will run “an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure the safety of everyone involved”.