GARVAGHY ROAD RESIDENTS COALITION
Portadown
Co. Armagh, Ireland
Phone/Fax: Int.Code +44 (0)1762 392898
E-Mail Garvaghy @ aol.com
21:00 Local Time
The Nationalist community in Portadown remained on high alert today as the Orange Order and their supporters continued intimidation tactics in and around the area. After a difficult morning where residents could not get freely out of the area to work or to the shops, and 14 children involved in the cross-community Project Children, on their way to America, were held up by loyalists blocking the roads, the community did its best to carry on with daily life. Residents are still uncertain that the security forces will block any attempted incursions into the neighbourhood by loyalists. All remain vigilant.
The residents and their spokespersons continue to be demonised in the press. In the last weeks they have been called dogs, animals, tigers, monsters who should be locked in cages. Reports in the press focus on the Orange Order itself, the "plight" of those who are camped out at the Drumcree church and the fact that it would be the "easiest way" to just let the march go down the road. The Nationalist residents are left to wonder once again, why is the "easiest way" always to forfeit their right to equality?