FOUR parades are to be re-routed away from a catholic church in the east end next weekend after police raised fears over the impact the marches and protests will have on the community.

The organisers of two parades on Saturday and two on Sunday due to pass St Alphonsus Church on London Road have been notified of a council decision after police advice.

Police said that they had fresh concerns following protests outside the church at a march last Saturday.

Read More: https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17662804.anti-protestant-persecution-orange-order-responds-to-latest-re-routing-of-parades-past-catholic-church/

Police Scotland told Glasgow City Council the expected scale of the protest would pose a threat of disruption to the community and impact on police resources.

It is understood that prior to the incident last July where Canon Tom White was spat on and a man later jailed for the assault, Police would have had 11 officers attending such a parade.

Last weekend as a result of the protests there were 100 officers including specialist riot police.

Read more: https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17649346.protest-held-outside-catholic-church-where-priest-was-spat-on/

The marches to be re-routed on Saturday are by the Dalmarnock No Surrender and the Apprentice Boys of Derry Bridgeton.

On Sunday the marches by Orange and Purple district 37 and Dalmarnock Orange and Purple no. 50 are affected.

The organisers have been notified and will have 72-hour to appeal the decision.

The affected parades are;

Saturday June 1

  • Apprentice Boys of Derry (Bridgeton), starting at Gateside Street at 5pm and ending at Tullis Street.
  • Dalmarnock No Surrender Branch Club, starting at Gateside Street at 5pm and ending at Bartholomew Street.

Sunday June 2

  • Dalmarnock Orange & Purple District 50, starting at Baltic Street at 11.15am and ending at John Knox Street.
  • Orange & Purple District 37, starting at Tullis Street at 11.15am and ending at John Knox Street.

The Orange Lodge of Scotland was not available today for comment on the latest decision.

However, responding to a re-routing order last month a spokesman said: “Glasgow’s streets should be for the people of Glasgow from all walks of life, from all colours and creeds and from all religious backgrounds. But Glasgow Councillors must feel it is better to segregate communities, to divide people on religious grounds, and to isolate individuals and groups when it suits their cause. This is not the way forward.

“The Orange Order remains committed to sharing our streets with people of all faiths and backgrounds, to living and working together and getting on with our lives without discrimination or division.

“Should any of our parades be subject to these Religious No-Go Zones that are being created by Glasgow City Council, we will oppose them.”

The council said that failure to comply with the order is an offence for both organisers and anyone taking part in the parade.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Police have raised significant concern about the impact of these marches and counter protests – both on the local community and their own resources.

“The council’s decision to re-route the processions is proportionate and maintains the participants’ right to assembly while addressing those concerns.”