Kneecap and Huartan among musicians showing solidarity with Garvaghy Road protestors

Several musicians have shared their support for residents of the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, following the beginning of their protest on Sunday.

They are protesting against the controversial decision by the High Court in Belfast to allow 35 members of the Orange Order to walk down the road as part of the Drumcree parade route. The nationalist, catholic area is in Portadown, which is predominantly protestant.

They have not been permitted to walk in the nationalist area since 1998, due to violence between the Orange Order, security forces, and Garvaghy residents. A number of people died as a result of the disputes.

Belfast-based tradtronica group Huartan shared a video of band member's performing a music session at the protest. They wrote in the caption that "artists have a responsibility in moments like this. We cannot remain silent while communities are being failed."

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A post shared by Huartan (@huartan_)

Belfast rap group Kneecap also shared a post on Instagram in support of the demonstrations by residents.

They explained their view on the parade in the caption:

"After 28 years of peace this attempt to change isn't about rights, but pushing conflict and supremacy."

 

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A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)

Singer Eimhéar Ní Ghlacaín also joined the protests on Sunday, she encouraged others to join and show solidarity with residents.

"Standing in solidarity with the families of the Garvaghy Road as they face down loyalist intimidation backed up by the PSNI," she wrote on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by Eimhéar Ní Ghlacaín (@eimhearrebel)

The Orange Order parade was approved by the Parades Commission of Northern Ireland. The marchers would have a service at Drumcree Church, before marching through the Garvaghy Road.

The approval came with several conditions including that it would start at 8 am on Sunday, September 27 and conclude by 9.30 am. No supporters were allowed to accompany the parade, and no bands were permitted to join the route.

The ruling was upheld on September 27 by a special late night sitting of the High Court in Belfast. It was decided at 2.15 am, with the march due to begin six hours later.

However, a swift response followed by residents, with cars blocking the road early Sunday morning, and local people forming a physical blockade to prevent the organisation from entering the area. The Order have since tried to begin the parade a number of times, however they have been blocked by the PSNI.

Demonstrations have continued into the week. Mediation talks between The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, led by Breandán MacCionnaith, the Orange Order, and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant are currently underway at Hillsborough Castle.

The talks will aim to resolve the dispute between the two groups, with the matter set to return to the courts.