Nationalist residents in Newtownbutler have invited nationalists from throughout Ireland to converge in the Fermanagh village tomorrow in support of their protests against two contentious Royal Black Institution parades.
Following a public meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the protests for the weekend marches, local councillors and the Newtownbutler Area Residents' Association said they believe the RUC will attempt to force the parades through.
A police spokesman said no decision has yet been made on the morning and evening marches, but an independent nationalist councillor, Mr Tony McPhillips, said he will be "surprised" if the parades are banned.
Yesterday Mr Kevin Lawrenson, spokesman for the residents' association, said: "We are calling on nationalists from all over Ireland to come to Newtownbutler on Saturday and support our peaceful protest. The parades here are the only contentious ones in all of the North of Ireland this weekend, as all others have been re-routed or protests cancelled.
"I think the RUC will try to force it through, but we would have thought common sense would prevail. There will definitely be a protest unless the RBP voluntarily call off the parades or if the RUC rightly ban it."
He said there has been no contact with any mediation groups or the Black Institution in recent days to resolve the issue. The local Black Preceptory has now accused the residents' association of bringing in outsiders to create trouble.