Springfield Road Residents call for support
By Roisín Cox
John McGivern of the Springfield Road Residents Action Group has criticised
Orangemen for refusing to enter into dialogue and discuss their parade
through the mainly nationalist Springfield Road area on June 26. ``Their
refusal to meet can only heighten tension and further inflame the situation
in the build up to the scheduled Orange Parade which has consistently led
to trouble,'' says McGivern.
Due to the strength of local opposition to the parade, repeated attempts to
initiate dialogue have been made by the Action Group. For the past 18
months, weekly overtures for dialogue have been made to the Orange Order,
who have neither acknowledged nor accepted the invitation for face to face
talks.
``This is indicative of the Orange Order's attitude to the Springfield Road
Residents. The Orange Order has clearly demonstrated that the are not
interested in the views, fears or concerns of the residents'', said group
spokesperson John McGivern.
In recent years the Springfield Residents have met with numerous groups in
an attempt to both manifest their opposition to the parade and to
highlight public awareness of the issue.
John McGivern stresses, ``our door is always open for dialogue. We want to
resolve the situation and that problem can only be solved through face to
face dialogue''.
d although the Springfield Residents have in the past met with the
Apprentice Boys, a meeting described by both parties as ``worthwhile'', the
Orange Order are adamantly refusing to engage in ``vital dialogue at this
time'', added McGivern.
Springfield Road Residents Action Group is now calling for community
support for a series of pickets they have scheduled for June 21 to 25 to
show their opposition to the parade. ``We want the local community to give
their maximum support,'' said McGivern.
The residents argue that a viable alternative route exists and that the
parade doesn't have to pass through the predominantly nationalist
Springfield Road and they have appealed to the Orange Order to voluntarily
reroute the parade.