Loyalist protest march to be held in Ballymoney this Saturday

Saturday's march is organised by the Protestants Against Injustice Committee'

Up to 5000 people and over are expected to attend a protest march in Ballymoney on Saturday evening.  The march is organised by a group called the 'Protestants Against Injustice Committee is holding organising the march against perceived injustices meted out by the Parades Commission.  The group want to see the Commission disbanded and replaced with a different body.

ONe of the issues recently debated was the decision to ban the Dervock Young Defenders from a parade in Rasharkin last month.  The band were prevented from marching by the Parades Commission due to alleged 'bad behaviour' during the 12th July parade in Ballycastle.  Sever Loyalist however, disputed that claim.

One of the organisers of the Parade is Councillor Darryl Wilson is one of the organisers and says that the protest is "to send a very clear message; that the Pardes Comission is not functioning properly."  He also said that the Parades Commission is  "actually causing more tension and disruption".

Sinn Fein's Philip McGuigan feels the group is 'pushing an agenda'

However Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan (above), believes that the group are merely 'pushing a political agenda'.  "We're just off the back of a relatively peaceful summer" said Mr McGuigan "I see no good that can come out of this."  He added, that the Parade would only serve to heighten tensions and would increase sectarianism.  Instead the North Antrim MLA believes, that Dialogue with the local community would be a more effective way of resolving any outstanding parade issues in the area.