30/05/2026
It is difficult to understand what went through the mind of the parades commission when they ruled on the Gaza march on 6 June.
They know Scarva is a strongly unionist area, they know the tow path is classed as part of Scarva village, they know the attendance of the finance minister as part of what is viewed as a Republican march will be inflammatory and they know Scarva residents don’t want it in their village. Yet they have ignored all this and will allow it to proceed.
They also know the police do not believe it should pass through the village but as a neutral organisation the PSNI must police the commissions ruling.
Having met the PSNI and the Parades Commission I am not just dissspointed, I am staggered by their lack of common sense and community awareness. This parade route could have boxed around the village ensuring no confrontations and no undermining of community relations.
To add insult to injury a unionist parade into a predominately unionist Scarva has been seriously restricted.
Everyone who wishes to attend this march for Gaza should have the right to attend but when the route is detrimental to others there must be action taken to stop it. This is what we have been told by the Parades Commission in regards Drumcree yet their credibility is now in question as they are clearly not showing consistency on their judgments.
Restrictions have been placed on the procession, as well as a counter-protest by Scarva Concerned Residents, while a sponsored walk by Markethill Volunteer Flute Band must now start in the afternoon instead of morning. https://tinyurl.com/yc8xcmyb
