A senior Orange Order leader has described the tactics displayed in opposition to Orange parades in the North as "fascist". He likened them to events of Nazi Germany when people were denied human rights because of race or religion.
Mr George Patton, executive officer of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, was speaking during a rally at Drumcree hill on Saturday night. The rally marked the 700th day of the Orangemen's protest against the Parades Commission ruling preventing them from marching down Portadown's Garvaghy Road.
Several hundred Orangemen and their supporters heard Mr Patton say Orange parades were an expression of culture and faith. "In every other part of the world people who try to preserve their culture are lauded for it," said Mr Patton. "But what happens when that culture is Orange? It is derided, the institution is demonised."
Mr Patton accused the commission of trying to break the Orange Order, but he said it would never succeed. The Grand Orange Lodge Executive Officer commended the Portadown Orangemen for their "steadfastness" during the 700 days of the Drumcree protest which centred on civil and religious liberties.
The Portadown Orange leader, Mr Harold Gracey, is due to speak this weekend at a "mini-twelfth" parade and Drumcree rally in Portadown town centre.
Portadown Orange District has also served notice of its intention to parade to Drumcree on Sunday, July 2nd, one week before the annual Drumcree Church parade takes place.