Drumcree crisis: Ex-Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams writes open letter to Portadown Orangemen
Former Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has written an open letter to the Portadown Orangemen about the ongoing Drumcree controversy.
He called for a time of quiet reflection and expressed thanks to both sides the stand-off was peaceful.
He added: "People want to see our society moving beyond the sectarian hatred that has cursed us for so long."
The vast majority of Loyal Order parades - 2,370 - took place without any controversy up until March this year he said - some of them in nationalist majory towns and villages, he said.
But respect is a two-way process and there is “no divine right" for any organisation to parade where it likes.
In the 1990s parades involved "widespread violence, fear, lawlessness and death" much of which, he said, came from Orange supporters and members.
"On that basis alone the rest of us will take no lectures about the law."
Sinn Fein will continue to stand with "the beleaguered and decent people of the Garvaghy Road".
The crisis was deliberately caused by people intent on “culture wars” to create division and hatred.
"The Portadown Lodge must surely realise that the crisis which is now ending is not in anybody's interest. Let's all step back from this madness for all our sakes - and leave hatred and division behind."
He he really enjoyed the contribution by Orange tradition musicians at the Belfast Fleadh in August, he said. "That is the future. Embrace it. It is your future also."