GARVAGHY ROAD RESIDENTS COALITION
Portadown
Co. Armagh, Ireland
Phone/Fax: Int.Code +44 (0)1762 392898
E-Mail Garvaghy @ aol.com
00:15 Local Time
At 11:00pm tonight, the community gathered at the Drumcree Community Centre to listen to the Residents Coalition report on the day's proximity talks with the Orange Order. The propositions put forward by the Orange Order included allowing 1,000 Orangemen down the road (instead of 1400) with three bands. Another suggestion put forward was that they walk the Obins Street area (the Tunnel), which was banned as a route in 1985 by the British government who said at the time that it was morally wrong to march that area.
They expressed disappointment at the failure of the Orange Order to engage constructively, positively and directly today. The Coalition attended the talks with open minds and in good faith hoping to provide a long term resolution of this annual problem. They presented detailed proposals to the British Government and the Orange Order which outline a vision that secures the rights of all the people in Portadown. These proposals include the establishment of a Civic Forum to address social, economic, cultural and political difficulties in Portadown, aided by a major financial package funded directly by the British government. Unfortunately, the Orange Order proved incapable of matching the Residents' initiative and long term vision.
The bad faith and lack of commitment on the part of the Orange Order was demonstrated this afternoon when DURING the proximity talks, and unknown to our representatives, the Orange Order filed for yet another march down the Garvaghy Road, to take place tomorrow afternoon. The Residents and the Coalition are calling on the British government to uphold and effectively implement the decision of the Parades Commission made on Monday, June 29, and to lift the siege of the Garvaghy Road Community.
The residents were distressed at the news that the Orange Order is still being allowed to carry on with its belligerent actions, and that there was no resolution to the siege under which they have lived for a week. But they gave three cheers for the Coalition and its determined representation of them. The community remains 100% united and determined that their rights to equality should be upheld and the siege lifted. They await with anxious anticipation the deliberation of the Parades Commission in the morning.