The British government has been accused of tolerating a system of "cultural apartheid" over the continuing Orange Order protest at Drumcree Hill.
The claim was made by a senior Portadown Orangeman, Mr David Jones, on Saturday, following a Parades Commission decision to impose further restrictions on the final leg of a series of day-long events organised by the Orange Order marking more than 1,000 days of the Drumcree standoff.
Mr Jones said the decision to impose additional restrictions on Saturday's parade "illustrates how the Parades Commission is applying legalised cultural apartheid tolerated by the government".
Meanwhile, the Orange Order's leader in Portadown, Mr Harold Gracey, has said RUC officers who prevent Orange parades from marching along their pre-planned route should stand up for the Protestant community.
He was speaking in Portadown, Co Armagh, only minutes after police officers in riot gear, supported by units of the British army, had prevented the Orangemen and their supporters from entering a small loyalist enclave at Park Road, close to the nationalist Garvaghy Road area.
The confrontation between the Orangemen and the security forces occurred late on Saturday afternoon following a second march through the town centre that day. Addressing the crowd of some 350 loyalists, Mr Gracey said RUC officers should now search their consciences on enforcing bans on Orange Order parades.
"The security forces, and especially the Parades Commission, who have no mandate from the people of this country, should get their finger out, and give the people the opportunity to walk back in a peaceful and dignified manner, back to Carleton Street Orange Hall," he said.
Looking at those present, Mr Gracey said he recognised a number of Protestant families who used to live in housing estates along the Garvaghy Road but had been forced to leave their homes through intimidation.
He said of the police: "We know where you come from. You come from the Protestant community, the vast majority of you come from the Protestant community, and it is high time that you supported your own Protestant people."
Earlier on Saturday the Portadown Orangemen had staged a silent march through the town. This was followed by a rally at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, the official residence of the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid.