I am sure that when the Late W Bro H Gracey stated on Drumcree Sunday 1998 that Portadown District would remain on protest until we got our Civil & Religious Liberties restored, no-one could have imagined that it would fall on us to commemorate 5000 days of protest.

Whilst we are sincerely annoyed that to this date there has been no resolution to the impasse, we are extremely proud to be still carrying the torch of protest that was lit back in 1998.

With the exception of a couple of Sundays around the time of Foot & Mouth, Portadown District has returned to this place each and every Sunday and as we have done today proceeded from the Church at 1pm to be stopped by a Police Sergeant at the Bridge and told that we cannot proceed any further because of a determination of the Parades Commission.

Once again I must state that the Parades Commission must come up to the mark. It was suggested (in September 2011) that there could be some sort of “round-table” talks involving all interested parties in parading in Portadown.

We told the Parades Commission we were ‘up for it’ and to arrange a time and place for such a meeting. Portadown District would not be found wanting and would play a full part in any discussions. To date the Parades Commission have spoken to many groups in Portadown, but have not been able to get any talks started as they have not had a meeting with the GRRC – the main opponents to our Parade.

Surely one would think that the most important groups to speak to in any dispute are the main protagonists! For some time Portadown District were told that they had no hope of a parade taking place as they would not talk to the GRRC.

However, since October 2006 Portadown District is on public record as saying that it is ready, willing and able to enter into a mediation process – it is the GRRC who have not made it possible for mediation to take place in the intervening 6 years - I would contend that the Parades Commission should now hold the GRRC to the same standard as Portadown District was held too in the past. If natural justice means anything in this new Northern Ireland we live in, then the Parade should be allowed to proceed unhindered.

We should also keep in our thoughts the members of our Institution who started out back in 1998 but have been called to the ‘Grand Lodge above’. Their inspiration and selfless giving of time has made it more vital that we that are left continue with the protest until a successful conclusion is reached.

May I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your attendance here today. To those from Grand Lodge, the County Grand Lodge and visiting Districts, you are most welcome.

In conclusion, Portadown District is as determined as it was in 1998 to seek a resolution to this impasse and we are determined to see this issue through to a successful conclusion.

Here We Stand, We Can Do No Other.

Darryl Hewitt WDM