UK: N. IRELAND: ORMEAU ROAD MARCH

(12 Jul 1999) English/Nat

Police and troops are putting together a massive security operation in Belfast.

The city expects to see 20-thousand protestant Orangemen gather in Ormeau Park, after marching around the south of the city.

In Portadown, Orangemen are protesting the ban preventing them marching in the hostile Drumcree area, where Catholic residents in the Garvaghy Road have long opposed the marchers.

It is the biggest day of Northern Ireland's marching season.

In Belfast, soldiers have moved onto Ormeau Bridge, which leads to Lower Ormeau Road, and built a barricade across the bridge to prevent Orangemen trying to get through.

The Orangemen agreed to reroute their march to avoid the Catholic area of Lower Ormeau Road, where residents are hostile to the marches.

A small group of nationalist residents gathered on Monday to watch the security from the safety of the lower end of the street.

They said they felt threatened by the Orange gathering, but that it was better than having the parade passing their houses.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We would hope that today would pass off peacefully, that nothing would be done to damage the peace process and that those people in particular who have pushed for this parade, the Unionist politicians in Belfast City Council, apply the same pressure as they did to the Parades commission to ensure that above the bridge remains peaceful today and as little disruption takes place to the life of the community as possible."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerard Rice, spokesman for the lower Ormeau Road residents

After the march, Orangemen will hold a rally in Ormeau Park, overlooking the city's Catholic areas.

Around 20-thousand are expected to gather there.

Police are securing the fences in the park and there are armed vehicles in the park, in case of crowd disturbances.

The local Ballynafeigh Orange Lodge plan to march down to the barricade and hand in a letter to police protesting the ban by the Parades Commission.

The Lodge is upset they cannot march their traditional route.

But they expect the march will pass peacefully.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I see no reason why it shouldn't be peaceful. It's certainly meant to have a sense of celebration, celebration not just simply because William won at the Boyne, but that which came from it - the concept of a constitutional parliament, constitutional monarchy, free press and free church."
SUPER CAPTION: Reverend Martin Smith, Former Orange Order leader

Meanwhile, in Drumcree, Orangemen are preparing to stage their 12th demonstration later on Monday afternoon.

Orangemen have maintained their protest against a ban last week imposed on their proposed march down the Garvaghy Road.

Thousands will march in Portadown to protest the ban.

Portadown Orange men will be joined by County Armagh Orange men.

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