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POINT OF ORDER
Almost 50,000 Orange Order members to take to streets for parades across Scotland
The Orange Lodge has addressed concerns over the parades
MORE than 45,000 Orange Order members are set to take to the streets of Scotland.
The mammoth figure will mostly take part in marches across Glasgow, and towns in North and South Lanarkshire.
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Scotland’s largest city will see up to 15,000 people parading on July 6 - just days before of the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
David Walters, executive officer of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, said most walks would go ahead despite an increase in objections.
He told the Scottish Sun: “We have over a thousand parades every year in Scotland which go extremely well.
“We sit down with council leaders, officials and Police Scotland making sure everything’s in place in advance.
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“There’s no reason why these parades should be stopped.”
It comes just weeks after a march in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, was canned following a public petition.
It was meant to be the first such event, in contrast to other cities and towns which have a long history.
Mr Walters said the organisation had since seen an increase in applications.
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He added: “Objectors and those that don’t like the any of the Loyal Orders have jumped on the bandwagon of Stonehaven.
“They’ve put in petitions for quite a few parades that are taking place at the moment.
“They highlighted one or two events over the last years where there has been a few incidents.
“The objections caused fear and mistrust in the community.”
Councils said some people were taking part in multiple marches and that details on road closures would be published.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said : “There is a presumption in law that processions can take place, unless there is a reason to intervene.
“We can only ever look at events on a case by case basis.”
A South Lanarkshire spokesman added: “Parades may only be prohibited if Police Scotland object and there is evidence of the likelihood of threats to public safety or serious public disorder.”
“Full details are available on our website, including information about how to object or comment to a planned procession”.
A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson added: “Organisers must follow the code of conduct for processions."
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan added: “Police Scotland is not responsible for decisions on marches.
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“We are committed to supporting the rights of individuals and groups who wish to assemble, balanced against the rights of the wider community and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
“Our policing operation will be proportionate and focussed on public safety, as well as doing all we can to minimise disruption to the wider community.”