Twelfth attack on Springfield residents
By Roisin Cox
Nationalist residents of the Springfield Road in West Belfast were
subjected on the Twelfth to an unprovoked attack by loyalists as they
protested peacefully against the second contentious Orange Order parade
through the nationalist area in three weeks.
In an attempt to intimidate the demonstrating residents, many of whom were
women and children, missiles were hurled by loyalists across the so-called
peace line before the parade arrived at the Springfield Road as it returned
from the Ormeau Park rally. Characteristically, rather than protecting the
nationalist protesters who were behaving peacefully, the RUC, dressed in
full riot gear, turned to face the nationalist community.
The protest, which was organised by the Springfield Road Residents Action
Group (SRRAG), was designed to highlight the nationalist community's strong
opposition to a parade which annually disrupts everyday life on the
Springfield Road. The contentious Orange parade, which was only allowed to
continue due to conditions set down by the Parades Commission, again
flouted the restrictions placed upon it.
John McGivern, spokesperson for SRRAG, said: ``Once again the Orange Order,
by playing sectarian songs, broke the preconditions set down by the Parades
Commission.''
He added that the heavy-handed tactics of the RUC and the attacks upon the
peaceful protest were ``an absolute disgrace'' and that residents were
``furious'' at the actions of both the RUC and loyalists.
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