Prominent loyalist Jamie Bryson has warned of a "long hot summer" after it emerged that more loyalist protest parades are planned.
The warning comes as the PSNI confirmed it is investigating multiple parades and processions held across the north in recent weeks.
Police say they are currently investigating 35 parades or processions with 30 linked to "PUL (Protestant Unionist Loyalist) community action".
Unionists and loyalists are angry at the Northern Ireland Protocol and have made claims of two-tier policing.
Under current legislation, procession organisers are required to notify the Parades Commission, which has the power to ban marches or impose restrictions.
In recent weeks a large number of loyalist parades have not been notified to the commission.
Mr Bryson was speaking after it emerged that protest parades will take place in Glengormley and Bangor in the coming days.
"I think it's inevitable now unfortunately we are heading for a long, hot summer," he said.
"It is quiet plain that the concerns of the unionist and loyalist community aren't being listened to and the responsibility for the increasing intensity of the protests lies with those who continue to force this unjustified protocol on the unionist people."
The north Down loyalist said that "nobody wants to be in this situation" and that "the concerns of the unionist and loyalist community are being pushed into a corner and we are now heading to a stage which everybody wants to avoid".
"I understand that across the country protest parades are going to increase in intensity and frequency," he said.
A spokeswoman for the PSNI last night said that since April 9 it is aware of 35 parades or processions, which are currently under investigation.
"Potential offences being considered are breaches of the Public Health Regulations (NI) 2021 and breaches of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998," she said.
"Whilst there have been no interviews and no criminal justice outcomes to date, these investigations are live and our enquiries remain ongoing into the incidents."
To date the majority of protests have been held in mainly unionist areas.
However, the Irish News revealed this week that loyalists are planning to hold a protest rally in Portadown town centre - a mixed shopping area - on Saturday June 5 at 3pm.
Other events are planned for the coming days including a band parade at Queen's Park in Glengormley on Thursday.
Organisers have urged those attending to "bring union flags".
Loyalists in Bangor, Co Down, are also planning to hold what is being billed as a "peaceful protest parade" in the seaside town on Monday, May 31.
It has emerged that the Irish language act has now been added to a list of grievances highlighted by protesting loyalists.
In a notice circulated on social media organisers have urged those taking part to "say no to the Irish language act".
"Demand that political unionism rules out an Irish language act, in any guise," the notice added.
It also urges participants to "resist the NI protocol" and "oppose north-south bodies".
Under a heading "demand policing reform" it says "protest against the unbalanced policing and justice structures and operational two-tier policing".
It is understood a series of other 'pop up' parades are planned for the north Down and Ards area on Monday.
