Ulster Unionist representatives commend Ballymaconnelly Band on Annual Parade

Ulster Unionist Councillor Darryl Wilson and North Antrim MLA Robin Swann have commended Ballymaconnelly band, marshals and spectators on a successful annual parade in Rasharkin on Friday night.

Councillor Wilson said;

“The Ballymaconnelly parade is always conducted with dignity and in a peaceful manner and this year’s parade was no different.

“With the parades commission bowing to republican pressure, a new provocative imposition was placed on the parade, whereby bands could only play a single drumbeat while passing protesters, coupled with the previous restriction of a limit of 25 bands.

“These restrictions have proven to be complete overkill. Two small protests should not require such impositions from the parades commission, or such a vast presence by the PSNI, including helicopter surveillance, costing the taxpayer an excessive amount of money.

“The parades commission were present at the parade and will have seen the exemplary behaviour of the bands and spectators, and I call on them to reverse the humiliating and uncalled for restrictions for future parades.

Robin Swann MLA said;

“Ballymaconnelly Band has come under significant pressure due to the increased restrictions that have been placed on it every year, and the behaviour of the bands on parade on Friday night whilst passing the protesters is to be commended.

“The Parades Commission and the relevant authorities must now address on whose behalf these restrictions are being applied. Applications were lodged for two separate protests each of 300 people, which were restricted by the Commission to 50. On the night, neither group were able to muster 50 people to 'be offended.' One group managed 48 and the other only 22, with both figures confirmed to me by the PSNI. Surely the reduction in the number of people protesting demonstrates that maybe the majority of people in Rasharkin are more tolerant of different traditions than we are being led to believe.

“I hope that the local nationalist politicians can replicate this tolerance and not be drawn into petty nitpicking in regard to the parade and castigating the organisers, while asking them to talk to them in the same breath.”

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