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Orange Order hold annual Twelfth of July parades No major incidents as Orange Order holds Twelfth parades
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of Orangemen and women are due to take part in 12 July celebrations across Northern Ireland. Tens of thousands of Orangemen and women are taking part in 12 July celebrations across Northern Ireland.
There were no incidents as a feeder parade passed a sectarian flashpoint at shops in Ardoyne in north Belfast.
The main Belfast parade is making its way through the city centre where there is a large police presence.
There is a small protest outside St Patrick's Catholic Church in Donegall Street, where bands played a drum beat rather than hymns or loyalist tunes.
The 12 July is traditionally the biggest day in the Protestant marching season - running from April to August - and 17 parades are due to take place.The 12 July is traditionally the biggest day in the Protestant marching season - running from April to August - and 17 parades are due to take place.
They mark King William III's victory over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.They mark King William III's victory over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
While most parades proceed without incident, some that pass nationalist areas are controversial.While most parades proceed without incident, some that pass nationalist areas are controversial.
Around 20 residents stood outside Ardoyne shops in north Belfast as the Orange Order parade came past on Saturday morning.Around 20 residents stood outside Ardoyne shops in north Belfast as the Orange Order parade came past on Saturday morning.
The residents said they were there to observe, not to protest, and the march was not obstructed.The residents said they were there to observe, not to protest, and the march was not obstructed.
Earlier, the new Chief Constable George Hamilton, toured the security operation in north Belfast and spoke about his hopes for the day.Earlier, the new Chief Constable George Hamilton, toured the security operation in north Belfast and spoke about his hopes for the day.
"I think we are in as good a place as we can be just now," he said."I think we are in as good a place as we can be just now," he said.
"I'm optimistic, but it's a cautious optimism and I'm just hoping that people take responsibility for their own actions and they need to understand that, as I've said throughout the past couple of weeks, the police will do our piece to keep people safe and also to collect evidence where people step outside of the law.""I'm optimistic, but it's a cautious optimism and I'm just hoping that people take responsibility for their own actions and they need to understand that, as I've said throughout the past couple of weeks, the police will do our piece to keep people safe and also to collect evidence where people step outside of the law."
There is a large police operation in place throughout Northern Ireland with more than 3,000 officers on duty.There is a large police operation in place throughout Northern Ireland with more than 3,000 officers on duty.
When the parade was permitted to pass the mainly Catholic Ardoyne in Belfast in recent years, there were riots. And when that route was restricted last year there was further disorder.When the parade was permitted to pass the mainly Catholic Ardoyne in Belfast in recent years, there were riots. And when that route was restricted last year there was further disorder.
Saying he was "hopeful" for a peaceful day, Grand Lodge of Ireland Secretary Drew Nelson warned any Protestant who threw stones or bottles they would be "falling into a republican trap".Saying he was "hopeful" for a peaceful day, Grand Lodge of Ireland Secretary Drew Nelson warned any Protestant who threw stones or bottles they would be "falling into a republican trap".
The Orange Order has encouraged people to take selfies to "capture the colour, spectacle and unrivalled carnival atmosphere at Orange parades".The Orange Order has encouraged people to take selfies to "capture the colour, spectacle and unrivalled carnival atmosphere at Orange parades".
'Colourful and vibrant''Colourful and vibrant'
Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson said he hoped the photographs would "act as a lasting memory of another glorious Twelfth of July".Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson said he hoped the photographs would "act as a lasting memory of another glorious Twelfth of July".
"The Twelfth of July is a day like no other and a unique celebration of our culture, faith and identity," he said."The Twelfth of July is a day like no other and a unique celebration of our culture, faith and identity," he said.
"Our parades are colourful and vibrant occasions, with distinctive banners and musical bands providing the perfect backdrop for those wishing to partake in a selfie photograph.""Our parades are colourful and vibrant occasions, with distinctive banners and musical bands providing the perfect backdrop for those wishing to partake in a selfie photograph."
The parades at Limavady, Markethill and Larne have been chosen by the Order as tourist flagship festivals.The parades at Limavady, Markethill and Larne have been chosen by the Order as tourist flagship festivals.
In recent years, the 12 July parades have been rebranded as "Orangefest", in an attempt to attract tourists.In recent years, the 12 July parades have been rebranded as "Orangefest", in an attempt to attract tourists.
About half of Belfast city centre's shops will be open for business on Saturday, but most have low expectations for business.About half of Belfast city centre's shops will be open for business on Saturday, but most have low expectations for business.
Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "The flagship concept is aimed at those parades that want to broaden their appeal to draw a tourism audience, and I am sure that those involved in the three selected demonstrations will provide a diverse and vibrant programme of events that visitors can enjoy.Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "The flagship concept is aimed at those parades that want to broaden their appeal to draw a tourism audience, and I am sure that those involved in the three selected demonstrations will provide a diverse and vibrant programme of events that visitors can enjoy.
"The colour and pageantry of the Twelfth is enjoyed by tourists from far and near and I hope many of them will take the opportunity to visit Limavady, Markethill or Larne to enjoy the spectacle of these flagship events.""The colour and pageantry of the Twelfth is enjoyed by tourists from far and near and I hope many of them will take the opportunity to visit Limavady, Markethill or Larne to enjoy the spectacle of these flagship events."
The Parades Commission - set up as part of the peace process to make decision on contentious marches - last week ruled that the Ligoniel Orange Lodge should not make a return parade along a stretch of Crumlin Road that separates unionist and nationalist communities on 12 July.The Parades Commission - set up as part of the peace process to make decision on contentious marches - last week ruled that the Ligoniel Orange Lodge should not make a return parade along a stretch of Crumlin Road that separates unionist and nationalist communities on 12 July.
It is the second year in a row that such a ruling has been made.It is the second year in a row that such a ruling has been made.
In protest at the ruling, each of the Orange Order's main demonstrations will stop for six minutes; the time, it says, it would take for the Ligoniel lodge to complete its route.In protest at the ruling, each of the Orange Order's main demonstrations will stop for six minutes; the time, it says, it would take for the Ligoniel lodge to complete its route.
You can watch BBC Northern Ireland's live coverage of The Twelfth at 11:00 BST here.You can watch BBC Northern Ireland's live coverage of The Twelfth at 11:00 BST here.