Controversy surrounds the decision of the Apprentice Boys to file for a parade around the Walls of Derry including an area overlooking the largely Nationalist Bogside area on Saturday October 18. A similar attempt in August led to negotiations between the Bogside residents and members of this pro Unionist organisation.
Following the breakdown of the negotiations a section of the walls were sealed off with barbed wire by the British Army. Several days of tension followed. This time round the Nationalist SDLP has called for the parade to be allowed to go ahead. SDLP leader John Hume claims that the parade "only takes 5 minutes and involves local members".
The PFC has sharply criticised Hume's statement since this sets a dangerous precedent for other areas where Unionists have claimed that parades "only take 5 minutes and involve local members". It is believed that the SDLP are attempting to win back ground following the controversy over the censure of the city's Unionist mayor. (see update of 22 September 96) The Bogside residents intend staging a token protest on the walls with 13 residents of the area. We will be providing details tomorrow as the situation develops. However it is likely that the parade and protest will pass off peacefully.