SF calls on order to abandon village march
20 July 2005
SINN Fein councillor Paul Butler has called on the Orange Order not to march through Glenavy in future.
The call came after thousands of Orangemen from the South Antrim combine held their Twelfth of July demonstration in the village.
Mr Butler said the organisation was not welcome as Glenavy was a village where the demography has changed dramatically over the last number of years.
Pointing out he is to raise the matter with the Parades Commission he said: “The Orange Order is insisting on marching through a nationalist area where they are unwelcome and exercising in sectarian coat trailing and triumphalism.”
But a local Orange leader refuted Mr Butler’s remarks, pointing to a peaceful demonstration which was enjoyed by all.
He added that the Sinn Fein’s councillor’s remarks that Glenavy was “predominantly Catholic” were untrue and he said the village was still mostly Protestant.
