Since our last post we in the Forum have been extremely busy behind the scenes planning for the fantastic Covenant Day parade which also demonstrated to republicans and the Parades Commission just how strong the marching fraternity is. We have also engaged with various stakeholders across our community to gauge opposition to the continuing campaign against our cultural expression by Republicans and the Parades Commission.
We wish to thank all those who sent us photographic evidence of republican bands stopping outside churches (even when services were being held) to play without any interference by the PSNI or criticism by the Parades Commission.
We have shared this evidence with the PSNI, Justice Minister and the PC.... not that it made a blind bit of difference!
The chairman of the PC, Peter Osborne, believes that the broad unionist community support the PC; ignoring the ever growing anger that we have encountered during our meetings with numerous groups and individuals.
During the past number of weeks the PSNI in North and West Belfast have questioned approximately 150 members of bands and members of the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution about
alleged breaches of PC Determinations. Files have been forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service. Many more arrests are yet to come. This one sided approach by the PSNI is counter productive as it is putting a great strain on existing relationships with our community and only increasing our anger which may lead to further defiance against PC determinations.
We all witnessed the republican parade along Clifton St. in Belfast which was not deemed by the PSNI to be contentious and therefore not referred to the PC. The PSNI forced a spontaneous protest by unionists off the street to allow this parade through and the anger of unionists spilled over.

At the moment bands are bearing the brunt of the PSNI focus and the Forum has assisted and advised many band members of what to do if contacted by the PSNI. If YOU are approached you MUST contact a solicitor BEFORE going to the police station.

How do we change legislation which is applied unfairly?
A number of years ago Margaret Thatcher introduced Poll Tax which proved so unpopular with the British public that many citizens who had never broken the law before came unto the streets to protest against the Tax which was eventually removed.
Is this what we have to do?

There are options.......
Change the membership of the Parades Commission.
The current members are openly anti Orange and anti bands. More balance is required.
Appeals to the Secretary of State by our politicians to deal with the imbalance in appointing Parades Commissioners has fallen on deaf ears.
Disband the Commission.
It would have to be replaced with something else. The new body would have to abandon the current attitude of seeking permission from republicans through dialogue which has proved unsuccessful thus far. This option could also take a minimum of 3 years to write the required legislation.
Look at what else is "out there" around parades and protests.
To explore these options and other ideas the Forum has participated in discussion with the Orange Order, Royal Black Institution, Community groups and unionist politicians. The Forum itself has a number of bands represented within it and we will insist that the voice of bands is heard and involved in designing the way forward and not be left outside and then asked to endorse the plans of others.

Be in no doubt that this battle is for the very right to hold to a cultural identity and have the right to express it.