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More than 1,000 join loyalist flags parade in Belfast | |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 1.000 loyalist flags protesters are taking part in a parade through Belfast city centre. | |
It set off from the city hall at 13:30 BST on Saturday, in breach of a Parades Commission determination stipulating it should begin at 12:30 BST. | |
A number of bands are also taking part. Police have warned the marchers that the parade is unlawful. | |
It has been organised by a group calling itself Loyal Peaceful Protestors. | |
There is a heavy police presence in the city centre. | There is a heavy police presence in the city centre. |
The group applied to the Parades Commission to march from Belfast City Hall to Woodvale at 14:00 BST. But the commission ruled that the march should leave the city hall no later than 12:30 BST and pass out of the city centre by 13:00 BST. | |
Police have warned motorists to expect delays due to traffic diversions in parts of the city centre from 12:00 BST to 16:00 BST. | Police have warned motorists to expect delays due to traffic diversions in parts of the city centre from 12:00 BST to 16:00 BST. |
They are in place at the front of Belfast City Hall, Wellington Place, Chichester Street and from Castle Junction to North Street. | They are in place at the front of Belfast City Hall, Wellington Place, Chichester Street and from Castle Junction to North Street. |
There will also be traffic diversions in the Shankill area between 15:00 BST and 17:00 BST. | There will also be traffic diversions in the Shankill area between 15:00 BST and 17:00 BST. |
The streets affected will be North Street, Millfield, Peters Hill, Shankill Road and Woodvale. | The streets affected will be North Street, Millfield, Peters Hill, Shankill Road and Woodvale. |
Many people within loyalist communities were angered by the decision of Belfast City Council on 3 December 2012 to restrict the number of days on which the union flag is flown at the city hall. | Many people within loyalist communities were angered by the decision of Belfast City Council on 3 December 2012 to restrict the number of days on which the union flag is flown at the city hall. |
They took to the streets to protest and some protests resulted in violence with many police officers injured. | They took to the streets to protest and some protests resulted in violence with many police officers injured. |
Major flags protests took place on Saturdays from December 2012 and into 2013. | Major flags protests took place on Saturdays from December 2012 and into 2013. |