Attempts to end the dispute surrounding the Holy Cross Primary School in North Belfast suffered a setback last night after Loyalist residents suspended talks.
Residents of the Glenbryn area, where the Catholic girls' school is situated, said they made the decision following "reckless" behaviour by the RUC, which earlier arrested eight men for public order offences in relation to the protest.
The daily demonstrations would now continue indefinitely, they said.
"As of 6.15 p.m. on September 19th, 2001, the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne suspended all business until further notice," the group said in a statement.
"The committee has attempted to play a positive role in influencing the upper Ardoyne's protest. However, attempts have been recklessly undermined by the RUC to the point where we feel unable to offer any further advice regarding further future protests".
Following the arrests Loyalists said the protests would be stepped up. They accused the RUC in being biased towards the Catholic parents who have been escorted to the school gates in the Glenbryn area every day for more than three weeks.
North Belfast Assemblyman Mr Billy Hutchinson warned: "It's now made people angry and people will want to up the ante in terms of the protest. I don't blame people, in fact the police are not welcome here for what they have done".
"I think they have been totally biased and acted in a biased behaviour since they came in here on September 3rd," he said.