Two rival demonstrations related to the Drumcree dispute are due to take place in Portadown, Co Armagh on Saturday as a stand-off between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents enters a seventh day.
The impasse has been ongoing since the Parades Commission gave the green light for the first time in almost 30 years for the Portadown District of the unionist Orange Order to complete its traditional route along the Garvaghy Road.
Marches in Drumcree in the 1990s often turned violent.
A coalition of residents in the largely nationalist Garvaghy Road area is opposed to the march going ahead this year and took legal action, which failed, before starting a protest to prevent the parade from taking place.
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A fresh legal appeal by the residents is set to be heard in the Court of Appeal on Monday.
[ From local row to peace-process shambles: How the Drumcree standoff developedOpens in new window ]
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said a major public safety operation will continue in Portadown over the weekend while Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant said he would “especially urge calm this weekend”.
Bryant said a prolonged standoff in Portadown is “ultimately in nobody’s interests”.
“I have been working with all those involved to find a mutually acceptable solution,” he said in a post on social media.
“I’m grateful to all those who have been and are engaging in dialogue. This is a crucial time for Northern Ireland and I hope people can still find further compromise.
“Leadership is never easy at moments like this but I commend all those who are trying to get to a solution.”
A rally on Garvaghy Road in support of residents has been organised for 3pm.
A separate rally is scheduled to take place in the Edgarstown area at 4pm in support of the Orange Order.
Sinn Féin politicians have been encouraging people to attend the Garvaghy Road demonstration, which has been dubbed the “No Going Back” rally.
“The Garvaghy Road residents are holding a rally and calling on people from across Ireland to join with them in support of their right to live free from sectarian harassment and intimidation,” a statement from Sinn Féin said.
“Let’s stand together. There can be no Orange march forced down the Garvaghy Road. No going back!”
The Orange Order rally, referred to as the “Let Them Home Festival”, is due to take place in Edgarstown from 4pm-8pm.
“This is an opportunity to come together in support of the 35, while enjoying an afternoon for the whole community,” Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart said.
“Bring your family. Bring your friends. Come along and show your support peacefully and positively. Orange men wear your sash,” she said in a post on social media.
Bryant, who chaired talks with both sides during the week that were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement, said his door remains open for further engagement.
– Additional reporting from PA
