An estimated 13,000 Orangemen, believed to be a record turnout, took part in yesterday's Co Armagh Twelfth demonstration in Portadown. The marchers were accompanied by thousands of supporters, many of whom lined the streets of the town as the parade, led by the Co Armagh Grand Orange Master, Mr Denis Watson, made its way to the demonstration field at the Loughgall Road.
Although Orange districts from many areas of Co Armagh took part in yesterday's parade, the warmest reception was reserved for the members of the Portadown Orange District. Portadown Orangemen have been maintaining a protest at Drumcree hill since the Parades Commission banned the Orange march down the Garvaghy Road in July 1998.
However, absent from yesterday's parade was Portadown district master Mr Harold Gracey, who remained at Drumcree, accompanied by several hundred Orangemen, to continue the protest. A token parade did take place at the Co Armagh church when about 40 Orangemen, accompanied by a single band, marched down to police and army lines in a protest gesture. The parade passed without incident. There was a carnival type atmosphere for the Portadown parade as spectators, Orangemen and bandsmen thronged the country roads leading to the demonstration field itself.
In his speech, the assistant deputy grand master, Mr John Patton, said traditional parades were a part of Orange culture and heritage. As such they were "a way of life" in many areas of the North. IRA/Sinn Fein attacks on such parades, said Mr Patton, were a "flagrant attack on the participants and what they represent."
He said the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland "will not discuss or parade with IRA/Sinn Fein-backed residents' groups".
He went on to attack the Parades Commission, saying it was a "quango" that had been established to take away basic human rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of movement. He called on the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to introduce legislation to "ask for the disbandment of this discredited body".
Co Armagh grand master Mr Denis Watson also attacked the Parades Commission, saying it was "answerable to no one and designed to be anti-Orange". He went on to say the commission was "unashamedly sectarian" in its decisions on Drumcree.
Referring to recent discussions with Mr Blair concerning Drumcree, Mr Watson said: "No deal has been done. There is going to be no deal done to secure the justful rights to be restored to our brethren in Portadown."
Mr Watson concluded by saying that the Orange Order would work to achieve a just and lasting solution to Drumcree. "Accommodation is all we seek - not segregation," said Mr Watson.