A Markethill-based band has indicated it intends to join a counter-protest in Scarva on Saturday morning after the Parades Commission ordered it put its own planned sponsored walk back until the afternoon.
Markethill Volunteers Flute Band had sought permission to walk along the Canal Towpath, between Scarva and Portadown, on Saturday morning.
It was one of three applications relating to Scarva which had gone before the Parades Commission, which had described them all as being “sensitive”.
Unionist politicians had lobbied the Commission last week and cited fears for the potential for disorder similar to 2025 if a pro-Palestine march was allowed to proceed.
Organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the ‘Great March for Gaza & International Justice 2026’ is due to leave Lurgan early on Saturday.
It had indicated an estimated 1,500 participants walking towards Newry and passing through Scarva.
A second application then came forward for a counter-protest by Scarva Concerned Residents, which estimated 100 participants.
Markethill Volunteers Flute Band then sought permission to hold their sponsored walk on the same morning.
The Parades Commission considered the applications last Wednesday, but it was not until Friday afternoon that it made public its determinations.
Restrictions were placed on the IPSC march as it was directed that it could proceed but only by adhering to its outlined and agreed route along the towpath with “no participant in the parade” being permitted to deviate from that path or enter the village of Scarva when passing.
No persons are permitted to join the parade at Scarva and while passing the village along the towpath, no emblems or flags “of any type” should be displayed and no “chanting or singing” should take place.
The sponsored walk by Markethill Volunteers was also been approved but again with restrictions and the starting time has been ordered to be put back until 2.30pm.
“There shall be no undue stoppages or delays,” according to the Parades Commission, which also ordered: “The parade organiser shall ensure that the parade begins and disperses promptly.”
A protest by Scarva Concerned Residents was approved with conditions too.
Commissioners directed: “All participants of this parade-related protest must behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity; refrain from using words or behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as intentionally sectarian, provocative, threatening, abusive, insulting or lewd; obey the lawful directions o f protest organisers and stewards at all times, from assembly to dispersal; abide by the conditions of the Code of Conduct; and comply with police directions and in accordance with legislation.
“The Commission re-affirms that alcohol should not be consumed immediately prior to, or during a parade-related protest meeting. An organiser or steward, who believes a participant to be under the influence of alcohol, should take the necessary measures to remove that person from the protest.”
In light of the rulings, Markethill Volunteers has described the move to put back the time of its walk as “Republican appeasement”.
And it has now confirmed members instead intend to attend the morning counter-protest.
The band, in a post on social media, wrote: “It is great to see thousands on the streets on the likes of the 12th and 13th, but we need to see thousands on the streets when it matters at times like this.
“Due to the Republican appeasement process and two-tiered approach being operated by the Parades Commission and PSNI, we will now be doing our charity fundraiser for veterans whilst supporting Scarva Concerned Residents at 10am in their counter-protest against the unwanted Republican/Palestinian march through their village.
“We would like to encourage all within the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist community to come out and support the counter-protest at Scarva on Saturday morning. It would be great to see men, women and children out in huge numbers in support of a common cause.”
