(11 Jul 1995) English/Nat
Following protests and clashes with police, militant protestants in Northern Ireland have finally been allowed to march through a mainly Catholic town after a tense three day stand-off.
The marchers were held up by officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who feared clashes between them and the Catholics who live along the route.
Several hundred bowler-hatted Protestants on Tuesday marched in grim silence past silent Roman Catholics, fulfilling a tradition and ending a weary three-day war of nerves.
The march, without the customary flute and drum bands, took place two days late after Catholic protesters blocking the route agreed with police to step aside.
Catholics watched in complete silence as members of the Protestant Orange Order marched by - carrying the British flag, the Union Jack, and their Orange flag as a symbol of their loyalty to British rule.
It was a peaceful end to an occasionally violent standoff which at times threatened to get out of control.
Armoured vehicles barred the route of the march, and tempers frayed as demonstrators took their anger out on the Police.
Last night at a mass rally to support the marchers, tempers grew even hotter when Ian Paisley, an uncompromising protestant loyalist, called for a determined stand.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
This opposition, the stand of our brethren has got to be maintained, unceasingly and with the greatest of determination.
SUPERCAPTION: Reverend Ian Paisley, Leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party
Another controversial march in Belfast, Wednesday, is expected to be just as highly charged.
Calls for it to be re-routed have so far come to nothing - and there's little mood for compromise.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
There is no room for compromise. Compromise is not a word you can use in this. People have to agree to respect the wishes of this community and that's what it's about.
SUPERCAPTION: Gerard Rice, Catholic - Lower Ormeau Road Residents Association
The traditional marches commemorate the victory of the protestant William of Orange over England's Catholic King James over three hundred years ago have invariably led to conflicts and tension.
If these scenes from clashes following Monday night's rally are anything to go by - an already tense week in Northern Ireland looks set to continue.
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