Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC) Appeal For a Peaceful And Dignified Protest

by Ardoyne Republican - Republican Network for Unity (RNU) Sun Jul 11, 2010 22:15

The REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) Cathaoirleach/Chairperson, DANNY MCBREARTY, has slammed the Parades Commission for facilitating a sectarian parade of hate through the Ardoyne area.

‘The rights of Ardoyne residents to live free of sectarianism has been shamefully bartered away at the behest of the Commission, the Orange Order, RUC/PSNI and Stormont’s political elite, only to allow a triumphalist march to take place against the wishes of the community - a clear demonstration of the corrupt nature of the Six County State.

Notwithstanding the complete disregard for the human rights of the Ardoyne community and repeated warnings concerning provocation from the massed ranks of the paramilitary RUC/PSNI, sectarian abuse from marchers and supporters and of course the huge potential of civil unrest. It beggars belief that triumphalist parades have not been banned from the greater Ardoyne area. How is this in any way addressing the wishes of the residents of Ardoyne who have openly declared that they do not want this march in the first place? It's disheartening that so much effort is being put into facilitating an unwanted march instead of respecting peoples’ wishes. Is this what Ardoyne residents can expect every year - to be ignored?

It is clear that unless people get out on the streets the British State will continue to trample on the rights of Irish citizens. RNU calls on republicans everywhere to support the besieged community of Ardoyne’.

by Former Ardoyne Resident Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:31

The organisers of the rioting in Ardoyne in the last two nights need to come on here and justify their actions. You put up a statement calling for a peaceful protest. Explain your actions. According to Gerry Kelly MLA, you are outsiders who have gone into the Ardoyne community and undemocratically hijacked and then prevented local residents following through on their plans to hold a peaceful protest.

Here is what Gerry Kelly said to the BBC: ""A number of small factions including Greater Ardoyne Residents Coalition, Eirigi and Republican Network for Unity, who had called for a mass mobilisation from outside this community, moved onto the road four hours before the parade was due.

"All that was achieved by this was that it undermined local residents and prevented them holding their planned protest.

"But it is obvious by the small numbers involved that there was no mass mobilisation here this evening".

I am calling on GARC, Eirigi and RNU to come on here and justify your actions.

by Ardoyne Person. Tue Jul 13, 2010 14:25

Hardly anybody in the South takes the Ardoye seriously.

Infantile Orangemen with London hats which have not been seen in London for a centurty.

by Darren C - League for the Fifth International (pc) Tue Jul 13, 2010 19:34

Two consecutive nights of clashes between nationalist youth and police have taken place in several places in the north of Ireland including Belfast, Derry Lurgan and Armagh. Bernie McAdam argues that the peace process barely disguises the continuing sectarian nature of the Orange state of Northern Ireland.

Full article: http://www.fifthinternational.org/content/police-force-...doyne

by Former Ardoyne Resident Wed Jul 14, 2010 15:23

Ricky I don't agree with most of what you said except one thing. Your explanation of the junction at the Ardoyne shops is completely correct. The Orange Parades march through this junction past the shops. This is not actually part of Ardoyne. Ardoyne is behind the shops. The route taken is a public road that leads to and from areas which are both predominently inhabited by Catholics or Protestants. The Crumlin Road is a main throughfare.

I am not sure why the various republican groups referred to by Gerry Kelly are so silent on this issue when normally they are very vocal.

by Former Ardoyne Resident Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:23

Hundreds of residents protested last night against the riots saying they didn't support what was going on. What has Martin Og Meehan got to say about this message from the people in the community he wrongly claims to represent.

by lauren g Fri Jul 16, 2010 13:05

Interestingly SF have completely ignored and refused to condemn the vicious assaults carried out on peaceful protesters by their PSNI while condemning people for peacefully protesting against sectarian parades.

The initial violence came from the PSNI. no condemnation from SF. The riots followed, not supported or condoned by the residents of Ardoyne as GARC made clear at all times, yet this is the only thing that SF condemn.

Gerry Kelly with his opposition to sit down protests against sectarian parades is obviously out of synch with his party leader Gerry Adams who was quoted in the Irish news sometime back in February as saying “Unless the residents invite the Orangemen to march, there won’t be a parade, and if there was one against the wishes of the people, I would be sitting with them in the middle of the road."