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| NI secretary of state praises 'peaceful' 12 July | NI secretary of state praises 'peaceful' 12 July |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Orange Order and unionist leaders have been praised by Northern Ireland's secretary of state, who welcomed the "most peaceful" 12 July in years. | The Orange Order and unionist leaders have been praised by Northern Ireland's secretary of state, who welcomed the "most peaceful" 12 July in years. |
| Theresa Villiers said they were to be "commended for the intensive work" they did to prevent a repeat of violence over a contentious north Belfast march. | Theresa Villiers said they were to be "commended for the intensive work" they did to prevent a repeat of violence over a contentious north Belfast march. |
| The police and the Parades Commission also praised efforts to reduce tension. | The police and the Parades Commission also praised efforts to reduce tension. |
| The Democratic Unionist Party said the protest had created "breathing space" but had not resolved the dispute. | The Democratic Unionist Party said the protest had created "breathing space" but had not resolved the dispute. |
| First Minister Peter Robinson, who leads the DUP, said: "The campaign for tolerance and respect for our culture has been strengthened and will continue." | |
| The party's MP for North Belfast, Nigel Dodds, called on nationalists and republicans to respond to the marchers' "dignified protest" by working towards a future resolution. | |
| There were no incidents as the return leg of the contentious march was stopped from passing a sectarian flashpoint at Ardoyne, north Belfast, on Saturday. | There were no incidents as the return leg of the contentious march was stopped from passing a sectarian flashpoint at Ardoyne, north Belfast, on Saturday. |
| Unionists had protested against a Parades Commission ruling to bar the feeder parade from passing a stretch of Belfast's Crumlin Road on the evening of 12 July. | Unionists had protested against a Parades Commission ruling to bar the feeder parade from passing a stretch of Belfast's Crumlin Road on the evening of 12 July. |
| The section of road separates unionist and nationalist areas, and has been the scene of violent protests in recent years. | The section of road separates unionist and nationalist areas, and has been the scene of violent protests in recent years. |
| But this year, the marchers held a short protest at the point at which police stopped their parade, listened to music and a protest speech, and then dispersed without further incident. | But this year, the marchers held a short protest at the point at which police stopped their parade, listened to music and a protest speech, and then dispersed without further incident. |
| In a statement on Sunday, Ms Villiers said: 'I warmly welcome the fact that this year's 12 July parades have been the most peaceful in recent years. | In a statement on Sunday, Ms Villiers said: 'I warmly welcome the fact that this year's 12 July parades have been the most peaceful in recent years. |
| "The Orange Order and unionist leaders are to be commended for the intensive work they have done to bring that about. | "The Orange Order and unionist leaders are to be commended for the intensive work they have done to bring that about. |
| "Nationalist leaders also played their part in working hard to defuse local tensions," she added. | "Nationalist leaders also played their part in working hard to defuse local tensions," she added. |
| A spokesperson for the Parades Commission said: "The work which takes place at grassroots level by parade and protest organisers, and local politicians is challenging but invaluable. | A spokesperson for the Parades Commission said: "The work which takes place at grassroots level by parade and protest organisers, and local politicians is challenging but invaluable. |
| "Reducing tension and instances of public disorder is an encouraging backdrop against which to address outstanding parading issues through sincere, meaningful and sustained dialogue." | "Reducing tension and instances of public disorder is an encouraging backdrop against which to address outstanding parading issues through sincere, meaningful and sustained dialogue." |
| However, the Orange Order and unionist leaders have vowed to continue their protest against the existence of the Parades Commission. | However, the Orange Order and unionist leaders have vowed to continue their protest against the existence of the Parades Commission. |
| Mr Dodds also said the "tolerance" that was shown to the outward leg of the parade on Saturday morning could also be given to the return parade in future. | Mr Dodds also said the "tolerance" that was shown to the outward leg of the parade on Saturday morning could also be given to the return parade in future. |
| He told the BBC: "Let's see whether or not the breathing space that has been created is translated into reaction - not just in words form nationalist leaders - but in terms of their actions, to put their talk of tolerance and respect into action. | He told the BBC: "Let's see whether or not the breathing space that has been created is translated into reaction - not just in words form nationalist leaders - but in terms of their actions, to put their talk of tolerance and respect into action. |
| Justice Minister David Ford congratulated the police for their "professionalism" and praised community efforts that helped to ensure a "day of peaceful parades". | Justice Minister David Ford congratulated the police for their "professionalism" and praised community efforts that helped to ensure a "day of peaceful parades". |
| "This year we have shown how cool heads and careful words helped to keep the situation calm and I would hope that approach continues so we can work towards resolution of all contentious parades." | "This year we have shown how cool heads and careful words helped to keep the situation calm and I would hope that approach continues so we can work towards resolution of all contentious parades." |
| Chief Constable George Hamilton commended the "responsible attitude" of those involved in organising this year's 12 July marches. | Chief Constable George Hamilton commended the "responsible attitude" of those involved in organising this year's 12 July marches. |
| Protest speech | Protest speech |
| More than 3,000 officers were on duty across Northern Ireland to police the biggest day in the Orange Order's marching season. | More than 3,000 officers were on duty across Northern Ireland to police the biggest day in the Orange Order's marching season. |
| When the Belfast feeder parade was stopped at the same point last year, rioting erupted and continued for several nights in the Woodvale area, with scores of police officers injured. | When the Belfast feeder parade was stopped at the same point last year, rioting erupted and continued for several nights in the Woodvale area, with scores of police officers injured. |
| But this year, Orange Order marshals formed a line across the Woodvale Road, a short distance from a police barrier. | But this year, Orange Order marshals formed a line across the Woodvale Road, a short distance from a police barrier. |
| The marchers walked as far as the marshals' line where they stopped and listened to a protest speech by the Orange Order's Belfast deputy county grand master, Spencer Beattie. | The marchers walked as far as the marshals' line where they stopped and listened to a protest speech by the Orange Order's Belfast deputy county grand master, Spencer Beattie. |
| Bands played music, supporters cheered and a short time later the marchers walked back down the Woodvale Road without further incident. | Bands played music, supporters cheered and a short time later the marchers walked back down the Woodvale Road without further incident. |