Orangemen at Drumcree hear call for mass protest

The district Master of the Portadown Loyal Orange Lodge, Mr Harold Gracey, appealed at Drumcree yesterday for supporters to take to the streets in their thousands.

"This battle is not about Drumcree, it's about the Orange Order. It's about the Protestant people," he said. If the Protestant people "don't get up off their bellies this country will be gone. Let's carry this protest right across this province," he said.

Mr Gracey urged supporters to bring out their friends and families, then they would have "100,000 - a lot more on the streets," he said.

"It is easy for security forces to contain us here at Drumcree, but if you get out, if your friends get out in the towns and villages . . . they will just see what the Ulsterman is about." He appealed: "Don't let that unelected quango [the Parades Commission] tell us what to do."

Yesterday was "the first of many battles this week . . . when the people come out the politicians will have to take notice. I said to Tony Blair today that last year you may have duped us but it won't happen this week," he said to loud cheers and applause.

"Let's show this unelected quango who runs Ulster. It's not David Trimble . . ." He was interrupted by shouts of "traitor" in response to the mention of Northern Ireland's First Minister.

Mr Gracey ended saying: "It is not a day for politics. You've your ideas about him [Mr Trimble] and I have mine." This received a loud cheer.

Earlier, about 1,500 Orangemen marched along the traditional route from Carleton Street in Portadown to Drumcree parish church. When the parade reached Woodhouse Street in Portadown, District Deputy Master Mr David Burrows handed a letter of protest at the decision not to allow the Orangemen down the Garvaghy Road to RUC Supt Tim McGregor.

A similar letter was handed to RUC Chief Insp Drew Harris at St John's Catholic Church when the parade reached there. The police and army presence at St John's was strong as the parade passed to a drumbeat from the Star of the Sea Accordion Band.

After the service at Drumcree church, the Portadown district officers and standard bearers paraded to the police lines.

Mr Gracey and other district officers then spoke before the crowd dispersed peacefully. A moment of tension at Drumcree church yesterday as Orangemen attempt to force a way through an RUC cordon which was preventing them from entering the Garvaghy Road. Photograph: Joe St Leger