Make Drumcree a peaceful protest, Orangemen urge

Orangemen have set off on their annual Drumcree Parade urging their supporters to maintain a peaceful protest against the ban on their march.

The Portadown District left their hall in Carleton Street on the outward march to Drumcree.

Deputy District Master David Burrows told Orangemen that they should "forget about provocation".

He said: "We are a dignified institution and we are larger than any of them.

"There has been a problem over the years but there will not be a problem today. We walk with pride. We wear our colours as we have done for many years."

Portadown District Secretary Nigel Dawson confirmed that the Orangemen would challenge the ban on their march because they did not recognise the Parades Commission.

"Once again we have seen the discrimination against this district for the fourth year running," he told supporters from a first floor window in the Orange Hall.

"There have been 156 applications over the last three years. If nothing else the Parades Commission has been consistent.

"I hope the chairman and the six members of the commission as they attend their worship will be totally ashamed of themselves for denying us the same rights they are enjoying this morning."