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A controversial Orange Order march is currently blocked by crowds of protesters in Portadown, Northern Ireland, preventing the marchers from leaving Drumcree Church. Police negotiators are engaged in efforts to resolve the standoff.
Police are actively negotiating with protesters who are blocking the route of the Orange Order march in Portadown. The situation is under close observation from political leaders, including Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant, who has called for cooperation with law enforcement.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant has returned to Northern Ireland, urging individuals to cooperate with police to ensure calm amid rising tensions, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for calm from all parties involved. As the stand-off continues between protesters and the Orange Order marchers, the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition is pursuing a legal challenge against the Parades Commission’s ruling.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how long the stand-off between police negotiators and protesters will continue in Portadown.
Protesters block Orange Order march in Portadown amid police negotiations
A controversial Orange Order march is yet to go ahead as crowds of protesters block the route in Portadown.
Police negotiators are trying to end the stand-off that erupted after the Orangemen were allowed to march through the Catholic enclave in the Protestant town in Northern Ireland.
The Drumcree march was banned for nearly 30 years over fears of sectarian violence, but the Parades Commission ruled the parade could go ahead today with no music, and no more than 35 people.
The decision has sparked outrage from nationalists and republicans, with Sinn Féin leaders joining thousands in a counter-rally this morning.
The deadlock has stopped the Orangemen from leaving Drumcree Church and marching through the town.
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Police negotiators have attempted to speak to protestors to encourage them to leave, but the demonstrators are refusing to budge.
The dispute has fuelled a fierce political confrontation between Unionist and Nationalist parties.
First Secretary Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald joined protestors at Garvaghy Road, calling the march’s green light a ‘disgrace’ given it’s history.
DUP politicians are supporting Orangemen at Drumcree Church and have accused Sinn Féin of ‘inflaming opposition’ by protesting against ‘lawful decisions’.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant is returning to Northern Ireland and called on people to abide by the law.
He added: ‘I wish we weren’t in this position. I wish we we weren’t looking at relitigating things.
‘There are lots of people who are watching this very, very closely including people who have long memories of things that happened 30 years ago and will be very nervous.
‘The number one thing is that people should cooperate with the police. I want everything to pass off as calmly as is possible.’
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he had spoken to the Irish Prime Minister and urged calm on both side.
He told the BBC this morning: ‘I know it’s a tense situation and we appeal for calm on all sides.
‘There have been big gains made in Northern Ireland and we don’t want to see things go backwards.’
The Irish government has said it in a statement it is ‘very concerned about the situation’.
‘Our primary concern remains to avoid a return to the divisions of the past, recalling the significant progress made over many years in furthering reconciliation under the Good Friday Agreement.’