ORANGE Order officials in Belfast are expected to announce plans today for a protest against the RUC's decision not to permit their parade through the nationalist lower Ormeau area on Sunday.
The RUC yesterday announced that the march would be routed away from the area. The Orangemen had hoped to march through the district on their way to the Ulster Hall in the city centre.
A loyalist parade through the lower Ormeau area on Easter Monday was also prohibited. The ban led to a 16 hour stand off with police. Sixteen people were injured during rioting in which police were stoned and petrol bombed. Nationalists were threatening to protest if the march on Sunday was permitted.
Announcing the RUC's decision, the Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast, Mr Bill Stewart, said: "In view of the likelihood of serious public disorder, there was in our considered view absolutely no other decision we could have taken. We now expect all those involved on both sides to act strictly within the law."
The Order's Assistant Grand Master, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, said he regretted the RUC's decision. It seemed that if nationalist residents threatened disorder, the police would ban lawful Orange marches, he added. Mr Noel Liggitt, the district secretary of Ballynafeigh Orange lodge, said that 50 Orangemen and one band did not present a risk to public order. The Ballynafeigh lodge met last night to discuss plans for a protest. It is understood that some loyalists are in favour of Orangemen from across the North converging on the Ormeau Road on Sunday.
Mr Liggitt, however, stressed that local Orangemen favoured a "dignified protest" and not "a fracas" with the RUC.
An Ulster Unionist councillor, Mr Chris McGimpsey, said the parade should have been permitted. However, Mr Gerard Rice of the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community group welcomed the RUC's decision. He called on the Order to hold immediate talks with nationalist residents to resolve the situation.
An Alliance Party councillor, Mr Steve McBride, urged Orangemen to respect the police decision.