Northern Ireland protesters block Catholic area before Orange Order march - Al Jazeera
Protesters in Northern Ireland have blocked a route in Portadown to prevent a controversial Orange Order march through a Catholic neighborhood. The protest follows a court ruling that permitted the march for the first time in nearly three decades.
Why it matters
The event highlights the persistent sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland and the challenges of balancing civil rights with historical community disputes.
Crowd gathered on Garvaghy Road on Sunday to protest against a court ruling allowing the march.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Jump to Previous Slide Jump to Next Slide A crowd of protesters gather to block the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, Northern Ireland in the morning of September 27, 2026, to prevent a parade of marchers from the Orange Order using the route through the mainly nationalist area of the town [Paul Faith/AFP] By Al Jazeera Staff , AP and Reuters Published On 27 Sep 2026 27 Sep 2026 | Updated: a day ago Updated: a day ago Thousands of protesters have blocked a route into the Catholic area of a Northern Irish town that a Protestant organisation was due to march down.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
NI Secretary to face fresh demands to block any Orange parade down Garvaghy Road
Tensions in Northern Ireland: Why the 30-year-old Garvaghy Road parade row is back
Protesters disperse after blocking contentious Orange Order parade
Protesters block Orange Order from marching through Catholic area in Northern Ireland
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