From NME · · 1m 10s
Musicians Support Garvaghy Road Residents
Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and others sign open letter backing Belfast residents amid Orange Order parade dispute.
In brief
Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and others sign open letter backing Belfast residents amid Orange Order parade dispute. Major musicians and artists signed an open letter urging Northern Ireland Secretary to protect Garvaghy Road residents from Orange Order parade threats. Originally reported by NME.
Musicians sign open letter
Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, Johnny Marr and Kneecap signed an open letter supporting Garvaghy Road residents in Belfast.
Garvaghy Road standoff
The road in Portadown, County Armagh has entered its 11th day of tense deadlock over Orange Order parade route.
Historical context
The Parades Commission blocked Orange Order parades via Garvaghy Road for 28 years due to violence including petrol bomb deaths of three young brothers.
“when their home was attacked by an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) petrol bomb”
High Court decision
A High Court decision eased regulations allowing 35 Orange Order members to march through Garvaghy Road starting at 8am.
Residents' response
Garvaghy Road residents protested against the decision, demanding the march be overturned.
Open letter call for peace
The letter urged Northern Ireland Secretary to appoint an independent international mediator for peace in the region.
“it is entirely unacceptable that this community should face a return to that anxiety”
What matters most
Major musicians and artists signed an open letter urging Northern Ireland Secretary to protect Garvaghy Road residents from Orange Order parade threats.
