People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has welcomed today’s High Court ruling dismissing the Orange Order’s challenge to the ban on the Drumcree parade.
Gerry Carroll said: “Today’s ruling is a victory for the people of the Garvaghy Road. For nearly three decades they have said no to a sectarian march being forced past their homes, and today the High Court confirmed that the decision to ban it was lawful.”
“Jamie Bryson disgracefully calls families who have lived under the shadow of this march for 30 years a mob. In the same breath, he complains about Irish language signs. That tells you everything about the divisive politics driving this.”
“The Orange Order says it will likely appeal. It should accept the ruling and leave this community in peace. John O’Hara’s review of the Parades Commission must not become a back door to bringing this march back.”
“Ultimately, this was won by a community that organised, stood its ground and drew support from thousands of people across Ireland. That’s the real lesson of Garvaghy: when working class people stand together to oppose the politics of reactionary hate, they win. A different kind of politics, built from below, is possible.”