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Aug 2014 back issue
by Eoin O’Donnell
The Marching Season Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Each year, on and around the 12th of July, large parades and marches are held across Northern Ireland to commemorate the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The parades are organised by the British unionist Orange Order along with their counterpart Ulster loyalist marching bands. The marches are broadly viewed as sectarian by Catholic nationalists.  As a result of intense rioting there in previous years, the loyalist-republican interface in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast has become the focal point of controversy for the entire Northern Ireland parades process. From 2009 to 2012, Ardoyne Irish nationalists rioted following the 12th of July parade. Last year, British loyalists rioted when a commission ordered police to block the parade before it reached Ardoyne.  Despite the tensions on both sides, the rioting and violence seen previously was prevented this year. Peace in Northern Ireland has not come without a cost, however, with a reported £55 million spent on policing parade and flag disputes in the province over the last 20 months alone.
A member of the Ulster First Flute Band embraces friends near Sandy Row, south Belfast.
The Heart of Midlothian Flute Band march in front of Orange Lodge members (both groups from Edinburgh, Scotland) on Bruce Street in Belfast city centre.
Member of the Pride of the Hill Flute Band, from Carnmoney, Antrim, walking by Belfast City Hall.
A Police officer, hiding his identity from camera, videotapes the parades in Belfast City centre. Almost 700 people were charged or reported to prosecutors in Northern Ireland last year in relation to parade and protest-related disorder.
A Pride of Ardoyne Flute Band member on the Woodvale Road, north Belfast. The band is reported to maintain links with the loyalist paramilitary organisation, the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force).
A religious protester standing by police vehicles on the nationalist side of police lines at the loyalist-nationalist Ardoyne interface.
Children from the Ulster First Flute Band, based in the loyalist Sandy Row area of  south Belfast. The band is reported to maintain links with the loyalist paramilitary organisation, the UDA (Ulster Defence Association).
Orange Order members stand as the Ulster First Flute Band conclude their march by playing the British national anthem near Sandy Row, south Belfast.
Sandy Row Orange Order members driving behind the parade.
Onlookers watching the parades in a loyalist area on the Donegall Road in south Belfast.
Not all Ulster Protestants take part in the parades, and it is common for many on both sides of the community to avoid the potential for violence or anti-social behaviour by holidaying away while the parades take place.
The Whiterock Flute Band marching through central Belfast.
Around 50,000 marchers attended 17 major July 12th parades across Northern Ireland.
Members of the East Belfast Parkinson Accordion band on Bedford Road in the centre of the city.
An independent body, the Parades Commission, attempt to control and mediate the conflict over all parades in Northern Ireland.
From 2009 to 2012, Ardoyne nationalists rioted following the 12th of July parade. Last year, loyalists rioted when the Parades Commission ordered police to block the parade before it reached the disputed area.
3,500 officers policed the Northern Ireland parades over the 12th July weekend. 1,100 of those were involved in the security operation in north Belfast.
Orange Order members organising the marches in Belfast city centre.
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