Noel Gallagher, Susan Sarandon and 46 Others Sign Letter Backing Garvaghy Road Residents in Drumcree Parade Stand-Off
A group of 48 high-profile figures, including Noel Gallagher, Susan Sarandon, and Adrian Dunbar, has shown support for the Garvaghy Road community in Portadown, County Armagh, amid an 11-day standoff over an Orange Order parade. In a letter to Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant, they call for cooperation with the Irish government to find an "independent international mediator" to help reach a "strong, lasting solution" and to protect the community from "forced processions." The Northern Ireland Office has confirmed they received the letter but hasn’t made any comments. The conflict began after a march was approved on 27 September, leading to roadblocks with about 1,000 people, including First Minister Michelle O'Neill, and the Parades Commission's decision is under legal scrutiny.
Key facts
- 48 signatories including Noel Gallagher, Susan Sarandon and Adrian Dunbar backed Garvaghy Road residents in a letter to Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant
- The letter calls for an independent international mediator appointed with the Irish government to secure a robust, durable solution
- The stand-off in Portadown, County Armagh has lasted 11 days since the decision to allow a march on Sunday, 27 September
- Up to 1,000 people, including First Minister Michelle O'Neill, blocked the road on the morning of the planned march
- Kevin Rowland said the letter was an organic process inspired by the courage of the residents and aimed to amplify their voices
- First Minister Michelle O'Neill faces a vote of no confidence due to fail for lack of cross-community support at the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Police are investigating the demonstrations in a large-scale criminal inquiry
- The Parades Commission has regulated parades since 1998, and the Court of Appeal is considering a residents' legal challenge to the march
Entities
Artists
- Noel Gallagher
- Susan Sarandon
- Adrian Dunbar
- Paul Weller
- Siobhán McSweeney
- Johnny Marr
- Kevin Rowland
- Irvine Welsh
- Ken Loach
- Graham 'Suggs' McPherson
- Imelda May
- Maxine Peake
- Mick Lynch
- Michelle O'Neill
- Sir Chris Bryant
Institutions
- Oasis
- Line of Duty
- Dexy's Midnight Runners
- Kneecap
- Madness
- The Smiths
- Derry Girls
- Trainspotting
- Orange Order
- Northern Ireland Office
- Parades Commission
- Northern Ireland Assembly
- Court of Appeal
- BBC News NI
- US Congress
Locations
- Portadown
- United Kingdom
- County Armagh
- Garvagh Road
- Drumcree Church
- Northern Ireland