A march organised in support of Protestant civil and religious liberties set off from Derry today without incident. The RUC praised the participants of the march and of a nationalist counter demonstration. The 10-day march is set to follow a roundabout route of over a hundred miles arriving in Portadown, County Armagh, on the eve of the Orange Order's Drumcree annual parade. Nationalists mounted a protest in Shipquay Street, but there were no violent incidents.
The so-called "long march" set off from outside the Guildhall in Derry this morning, heading for Limavady, where a rally will be held this evening. Further nightly rallies will be held at various stopping points. The march, described by its organisers as "aimed at supporting Protestant civil and religious liberties", is due to arrive in Drumcree on July 4th.
The SDLP described the event as "an irresponsible exercise at a time of rising tension". But the organisers, who include the main Unionist parties and the Orange Order, say they want it to be peaceful. Last night, at a function at the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in Derry, there were calls for troublemakers to stay away.
