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Thousands of Orangemen take part in Twelfth of July parades Thousands of Orangemen take part in Twelfth of July parades
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of Orangemen are taking part in the annual Twelfth of July parades across Northern Ireland.Thousands of Orangemen are taking part in the annual Twelfth of July parades across Northern Ireland.
Five hundred and fifty parades are taking place with Londonderry hosting the flagship procession.Five hundred and fifty parades are taking place with Londonderry hosting the flagship procession.
The Belfast parade staged a protest outside the office of the Parades Commission, the body set up to rule on contentious parades.The Belfast parade staged a protest outside the office of the Parades Commission, the body set up to rule on contentious parades.
It follows the commission's ruling that marchers cannot return along part of Crumlin Road in north Belfast.It follows the commission's ruling that marchers cannot return along part of Crumlin Road in north Belfast.
County officers tied a banner to a tree outside the commission's door. The county grand master for Belfast, George Chittick, spoke to denounce the commission and said "No Surrender".County officers tied a banner to a tree outside the commission's door. The county grand master for Belfast, George Chittick, spoke to denounce the commission and said "No Surrender".
Earlier, the outward leg of the north Belfast 'feeder' parade passed peacefully along the stretch of the Crumlin Road that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.Earlier, the outward leg of the north Belfast 'feeder' parade passed peacefully along the stretch of the Crumlin Road that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.
However, there were some angry exchanges and jostling outside St Patrick's Catholic Church, also in north Belfast.However, there were some angry exchanges and jostling outside St Patrick's Catholic Church, also in north Belfast.
One band played the Orange song The Sash while it was stopped outside the church.One band played the Orange song The Sash while it was stopped outside the church.
This was in contravention of a ruling by the Parades Commission that said only hymns should be played. Other bands complied with the determination.This was in contravention of a ruling by the Parades Commission that said only hymns should be played. Other bands complied with the determination.
Later a space appeared to have been left outside the church by bands during a stoppage in the parade.Later a space appeared to have been left outside the church by bands during a stoppage in the parade.
Sinn Féin Culture Minister Carál ní Chiulín, who was outside the church, said there had been breaches of the Parade Commission's ruling.Sinn Féin Culture Minister Carál ní Chiulín, who was outside the church, said there had been breaches of the Parade Commission's ruling.
"Playing The Sash outside St Patrick's chapel is absolutely unacceptable," she said."Playing The Sash outside St Patrick's chapel is absolutely unacceptable," she said.
"This is not demonstrating to this community that there is any respect. Despite it all, this community is still asking for dialogue.""This is not demonstrating to this community that there is any respect. Despite it all, this community is still asking for dialogue."
A backdrop of tension over the parade in north Belfast surrounds this year's Twelfth.A backdrop of tension over the parade in north Belfast surrounds this year's Twelfth.
The Parades Commission has ruled that marchers will not be allowed to return, later on Friday, along the part of the Crumlin Road, at Ardoyne shops, that separates nationalist and loyalist communities.The Parades Commission has ruled that marchers will not be allowed to return, later on Friday, along the part of the Crumlin Road, at Ardoyne shops, that separates nationalist and loyalist communities.
'No alternative''No alternative'
Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson, who is at the Londonderry demonstration, said the Parades Commission had left the order "no alternative" but to protest over the ruling.Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson, who is at the Londonderry demonstration, said the Parades Commission had left the order "no alternative" but to protest over the ruling.
Mr Stevenson said that there was no co-ordinated plan for protests, but all must be peaceful.Mr Stevenson said that there was no co-ordinated plan for protests, but all must be peaceful.
He said it was up to people involved at each protest to decide for how long they would protest.He said it was up to people involved at each protest to decide for how long they would protest.
In recent years there has been serious rioting in the nationalist Ardoyne area following the return leg of the parade.In recent years there has been serious rioting in the nationalist Ardoyne area following the return leg of the parade.
The morning parade was blocked temporarily by police just before it reached the Ardoyne shops.The morning parade was blocked temporarily by police just before it reached the Ardoyne shops.
This was because there were many more supporters accompanying the bands than had been allowed by the Parades Commission ruling, that limited followers of the lodges and band to 100.This was because there were many more supporters accompanying the bands than had been allowed by the Parades Commission ruling, that limited followers of the lodges and band to 100.
After hundreds of supporters withdrew, police allowed the marchers to proceed and the parade passed the Ardoyne shops without incident, shortly after 09:00 BST.After hundreds of supporters withdrew, police allowed the marchers to proceed and the parade passed the Ardoyne shops without incident, shortly after 09:00 BST.
Nationalist residents from the Greater Ardoyne Residents' Collective (GARC) held a small protest in the area, amid a heavy police presence.Nationalist residents from the Greater Ardoyne Residents' Collective (GARC) held a small protest in the area, amid a heavy police presence.
GARC was one of two residents' groups from Ardoyne that had planned larger protests against the parade, which is a so-called feeder march for the Ligoneil lodges taking part in the main Belfast demonstration. GARC was one of two residents' groups from Ardoyne that had planned larger protests against the parade, which is described as a 'feeder' march for the Ligoneil lodges taking part in the main Belfast demonstration.
However, after the Parades Commission ruling on Wednesday evening, both GARC and Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents' Association (CARA) called off their larger demonstrations.However, after the Parades Commission ruling on Wednesday evening, both GARC and Crumlin and Ardoyne Residents' Association (CARA) called off their larger demonstrations.
The marching season is a period of events from April to August, with the highpoint on 12 July when Orangemen march to commemorate William of Orange's victory over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690.The marching season is a period of events from April to August, with the highpoint on 12 July when Orangemen march to commemorate William of Orange's victory over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690.
William III is revered by the order as a champion of his faith and the man who secured the Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. They commemorate his victory in their annual parades.William III is revered by the order as a champion of his faith and the man who secured the Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. They commemorate his victory in their annual parades.
Many Catholics see the marches as triumphalist and sectarian with some traditional Orange routes passing through or past areas occupied mainly by Catholics and nationalists.Many Catholics see the marches as triumphalist and sectarian with some traditional Orange routes passing through or past areas occupied mainly by Catholics and nationalists.
The day's biggest parade is at Newtownhamilton in County Armagh.The day's biggest parade is at Newtownhamilton in County Armagh.
The Parades Commission ruling on the north Belfast parade was welcomed by nationalist politicians but angered unionists.The Parades Commission ruling on the north Belfast parade was welcomed by nationalist politicians but angered unionists.
The Democratic Unionist Party requested that Northern Ireland Assembly be recalled to debate the ruling. That debate is arranged for Tuesday 16 July.The Democratic Unionist Party requested that Northern Ireland Assembly be recalled to debate the ruling. That debate is arranged for Tuesday 16 July.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland called the Parades Commission's decision "ludicrous" and damaging to community relations, but Sinn Féin called it a sensible decision.The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland called the Parades Commission's decision "ludicrous" and damaging to community relations, but Sinn Féin called it a sensible decision.
On Thursday, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said she had no power to intervene over the Parades Commission's decision.On Thursday, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said she had no power to intervene over the Parades Commission's decision.
PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said 43 of the parades taking place on 12 July - the height of the marching season - were "sensitive".PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said 43 of the parades taking place on 12 July - the height of the marching season - were "sensitive".
He has drafted in an extra 630 police officers from across Britain to support the police in Northern Ireland in the event of rioting.He has drafted in an extra 630 police officers from across Britain to support the police in Northern Ireland in the event of rioting.