GARVAGHY ROAD RESIDENTS COALITION
Portadown
Co. Armagh, Ireland
Phone/Fax: Int.Code +44 (0)1762 392898
E-Mail Garvaghy @ aol.com
23:00 Local Time
It was a hectic but encouraging day for the Residents of the Garvaghy Road. A huge convoy of over 150 cars from Belfast arrived about 1:00pm bringing massive amounts of food, baby supplies and even toys for the children. With them, they also brought mural painters and members of the West Belfast Festival Artist Collective to do arts and crafts workshops with the children. Despite the apprehension of being stopped by the RUC and army and then attacked by Orange supporters, the members of the convoy brought high spirits and vast encouragement for the residents here. Later, a second convoy arrived from Newry, and with it the further bolstering of spirits. The Residents here are now convinced that they are not alone and that the communities throughout the six counties not only support them in spirit, but will be there to support them in practical ways as well, for however long the siege continues.
Residents will again, for the 3rd night, be on high alert as Orangemen mass again at the Drucree church. The army made a massive show of presence today, with constant helicopter flights and unloading of soldiers near the barricades. Most residents feel that the violent protesters will be held back, but going into the sixth day of the siege, there is a palpable anxiousness. Residents still hope that their right to equality and that the decision of the Parades Commission will be held up, even in the face of the highest levels of pressure.