On Sunday August 25th, the Annual Henry-Joy McCracken Commemoration Parade will take place. Organised by the Henry-Joy Republican Flute Band and the Republican Network for Unity (RNU), participants and bands are asked to assemble outside the Glenpark Social Club at 2pm. With the parade leaving Ardoyne Avenue at 3pm sharp.
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| Henry-Joy Commemoration Parade marching along Clifton Street, August 2012 |
With previous Commemorations to honour Henry-Joy, who is buried in Clifton Street Cemetery. The Ardoyne Republican Blog, advertised last years march, appealing for supporters to come along. Consequently DUP MLA, Nelson McCausland used his Blog, Nelson's View to create as much controversy about the march as he could. As a result, crowds of Loyalist bigots gathered at Carlise Circus around the same time that the Henry-Joy parade left Duncairn Parade. Within minutes, they attacked the RUC/PSNI with bricks, bottles and whatever else they could throw. The rioters also damaged a Senior Citizens' Home at the bottom of the Crumlin Road and Carlise House, where vunerable adults live. A number of cars belonging to workers at both properties were also wrecked.
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| Loyalist Riot against Henry-Joy Commemoration March, August 2012 |
As the Henry-Joy march entered Clifton Street, the Loyalist mob attempted to block the route but were prevented by the Peelers, who blocked them from getting further down the road. Surprisingly, a number of senior UVF figures including, Winkie Irvine stood on the balcony of the Orange Hall directly facing Henry Place. Where they took hundreds of photographs and video footage of the march. A number of marchers said they were hit with golf balls thrown from the balcony. Regrettably, some Nationalist youths who had followed the the march on the footpath responded by retaliating. At the junction of the Westlink, they voluntarily stopped playing music and restricted themselves to a single drumbeat. In a mark of respect to the Orange tradition and Indian Community Centre next door.
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| UVF Observers in Clifton Street Orange Hall, August 2012 |
As last year's parade turned into Henry Place. The Loyalist mob intensified their rioting in the hope that march participants would get hurt, a number were struck but luckily not badly injured. As it entered the small graveyard, Loyalists broke into Carlisle House, where they smashed cars belonging to workers and threw missiles into the cemetery. Some marchers were again hurt but the commemoration continued unimpeded. After honouring the Irish Patriot, RNU asked marchers and supporters not to allow themselves be provoked by Loyalist rioters nor the RUC/PSNI TSGs' and to leave the Cemetery peacefully. In spite of the ending of our commemoration, the riots lasted a further three nights. Proof if any was needed that the march had little to do with Unionist anger. Rather it seemed more plausible that the UVF had been flexing its muscles yet again. Unionist Politicians subsequently claimed that republicans had held the parade to provoke a loyalist reaction.
This August, the Henry-Joy Republican Flute Band applied to the Parades Commission for another Commemoration. It was immediately classed as sensitive by the Commissioners, in spite of past parades not having determinations issued against them. On August 13th, the Commission agreed to impose a number of restrictions on this year's Commemoration. The determination prevents the march from parading past the junction of North Queen Street & Victoria Parade. It is also not permitted to parade into the Carrickhill community, even though no action was taken by the same Commission after the band marched through the district in late February. Unlike previous marches, the parade will not be able to walk along Clifton Street and into Henry Place. The sensible and most direct route to the Cemetery. Instead it has been rerouted up Victoria Parade, Carilse Road and then Henry Place. In spite of, that these three streets are pretty narrow and not conducive to a large march with seven flute bands and over 500 supporters. Whereas, North Queen Street and Clifton Street are much wider and regularly hold similar parades.
Given the fact that the first Henry-Joy McCracken Commemoration parade was not opposed by anyone and last year's was attacked by Loyalist Thugs who continued rioting for three successive nights. It is quite ironic that this August's march is being opposed by two Unionist groups, who filed for separate protests to be held in Clifton Street. The Struggle Greater Concerned Residents Group and Concerned Residents Group only materialised in recent weeks. In order to protest against the Anti-Internment League's march through Belfast. They were given permission by the Commission to stage protests in Royal Avenue. Almost immediately, serious rioting ensued in the area to prevent the march from entering the City Centre. George Hamilton, a senior member of the RUC/PSNI later claimed; 'none of the loyalist protest groups seemed to show any leadership to stop the violence and were clearly intent on engaging in violence'. Despite Hamilton's statement, the Commission has incredibly allowed both groups to again protest against the Henry-Joy parade.
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| Loyalist Riot against Anti-Internment Parade |
Given that the the town of Belfast played such an crucial role in the Irish Freedom Struggle. Where it gave birth to the Irish Republican political idealogy, the United Irish Society was born. Wolfe Tone, Henry-Joy and others dedicated themselves to; 'Breaking The Connection With England'. It is surprising no that Republican Organisations or Political Parties never honoured McCracken at his final resting place in Clifton Street Cemetery. Possibly due to Belfast being also a city, where Unionism is very strong? Maybe they were/are fearful of a violent reaction as we encountered last year to such an important event?
Therefore, it is to the credit of the Republican Network for Unity (RNU) and the Henry-Joy Republican Flute Band have for the past few years commemorated such an influential Irish Revolutionary like, McCracken is properly commemorated after two Centuries. It is with that message that I urge all Republican Groups, Parties and Independents to attend next Sunday's march. To demonstrate that the legacy of the 1798 Rising is to end our Nation's territorial, political and economic occupation. Nothing less is acceptable and the Struggle to achieve those aims will continue!