Sinn Féin Councillor Tierna Cunningham said she would be amazed if the Parades Commision allowed a loyal order parade to through a nationalist area next week.
Residents from Whitewell and Bawnmore joined Tierna and party MLA Carál Ní Chuilín in a meeting with the Parades Commission this week to outline their strict opposition to any such parade.
The parade has been lodged by the City of Belfast County Grand Black Chapter who want their one band and 140 participants to march on Friday August 1 along the route that begins at Cloughfern Protestant Hall and then travels along Doagh Road, Shore Road (passing the nationalist Bawnmore estate), under the bridge and onto the Whitewell Road before finishing at Greencastle Orange Hall at the bottom of the Whitewell Road just after 9pm.
Tierna Cunningham said she would be gobsmacked if the 11 Bar One application was approved.
“I would be seriously amazed if this was granted,” she said.
“If the Parades Commission are all about fostering good relations in the community they couldn't, in all good conscience give this march the green light.”
Fifteen years ago the Royal Black Perceptory took this route when many nationalist homes were attacked.
“This part of North Belfast and especially the Whitewell has gone from mainly mixed to mainly nationalist over the last 15 years. To parade here now would be extremely inflammatory.”
Sinn Féin will fight to retain Whitewell Library
Sinn Féin Tierna Cunningham said her party would be fighting to keep Whitewell Library open.
“As a party we support rationalisation as long as it's sensible but specifically regarding the closure of Whitewell Library I don't think it makes sense,” said Tierna.
“People from the Whitewell simply don't feel safe using the Grove and we will be fighting hard to make sure we get the service we deserve.”
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