Loyalist group expects ‘no flashpoints’ at weekend events
A LOYAL order group which is set to march through Glasgow city centre has said it would be bitterly disappointed if its weekend parade was stopped by the council.
The Independent Loyal Orange Order, which is a separate and much smaller institution from the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, expects 50 members to march between Blythswood Square and Abernethy Street late on Saturday morning.
As the group pass George Square, a crowd of thousands of pro-Independence supporters are expected to gather in the same area for a rally marking the anniversary of the 2014 referendum.
In previous weeks flashpoints at parades across the city have seen violent incidents involving marchers, police and protestors.
Organisers from both groups have said they expect no trouble or flare-ups on Saturday, with last year’s events by the same groups passing without incident.
A spokesman for the Independent Loyal Orange Institution (ILOI) said: “It must be remembered that this is a parade by the independent order who have never had any problems with their parades. I can’t see how there will be any issues.
“The council’s draconian views shouldn’t take away from our freedom of expression we fought for.
“If we were instructed not to march we would not be in a financial position to challenge the decision, but we would be bitterly disappointed.”
Hope Over Fear has said previous years have seen some shouting between the ILOI and pro-Independence supporters, but that stewards, working with Police Scotland, have avoided any trouble.
So far, they say they have received no intel about threats from cops, with Police Scotland telling the Evening Times there was “nothing to report at this stage”.
Saturday’s event will feature prominent pro-Independence politicians, but is not a march and as such is not considered by the council’s public processions committee.
However, organisers have spoken out about last week’s march ban, saying the recent violence showed a “sad state of affairs” but claiming the
‘‘ The council’s draconian views shouldn’t take away from our freedom of expression
decision to prohibit was “not the way” to tackle the divide.
A council spokesman said: “The route and timing of any procession are obviously among the key considerations we discuss with police and organisers – and that would naturally include taking into account other events taking place nearby.”
Meanwhile, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland have said they held a “constructive meeting” with the council and police officials following last weekend’s ban.
Grand Master Jim McHarg wrote that progress was made towards a “hopeful resolution”, with an agreement to a further meeting.