A Drumcree ‘support’ parade and rally organised by the Orange Order is due to take place at the same time as Storm Boelo is set to hit Ireland.
A weather warning mirrors the tumultuous political storm currently raging within unionism as the fallout from the recent Drumcree dispute continues to cause turmoil.
DUP leader Gareth Robinson has already battened down the hatches as his authority faces a challenge from MP Carla Lockhart – a close ally of Portadown Orangemen.
The Met Office has now issued an “amber warning” for some districts during Storm Boelo amid fears parts of the north could be hit by 70mph gales as Orange Order members attend the parade and rally in Portadown on Saturday night.
he parade, which is notified to included 5,000 participants and 10,000 supporters, has been organised by Portadown LOL District No 1 and is set to begin at 7pm and end at 10pm.
While ten bands were initially listed to attend the event, which has not been marked sensitive by the PSNI, this figure has now increased to 22.
Unionist politics has been thrown into turmoil since Secretary of State Chris Bryant banned the order from marching along the nationalist Garvaghy Road after a request from PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.
Garvaghy Road residents had earlier blocked the route of the controversial Drumcree march after the Parades Commission gave it the go-ahead last month.
A legal challenge against the PSNI and Secretary of State was heard at the the High Court in Belfast this week.
In a social media statement, Portadown district encouraged “the entire Orange family to come out in their colours” alongside the “wider unionist community to demonstrate the strength of feeling within our community”.
“For us, this is about more than a parade,” the order states.
“It is about the rule of law, the right to peaceful assembly, and the principle that lawful decisions must be upheld.
“Our community has every reason to be angry and deeply disappointed at the decision to overturn our lawful parade determination following the threat of republican violence.”
The order said that it believes “the actions of the Chief Constable and Secretary of State have undermined confidence in the rule of law and sent a deeply troubling message about whether lawful decisions will be respected when faced with threats and intimidation.
“Let us not forget that, after 28 years of being denied the right to complete our traditional parade along the Garvaghy Road, a determination was finally made in our favour, with the matter also considered by the Court of Appeal and the High Court,” it said.
“Yet that opportunity was subsequently lost.
“This Saturday night, we ask you to stand with Portadown District and make your voice heard peacefully and with dignity.”
Former SDLP assembly and Policing Board member Dolores Kelly said the Orange Order has little regard for others and spoke of her hope the event remains peaceful.
