AIA Deface Orange Order Plaque On Dawson Street

Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland (AIA) has defaced the Orange Order plaque located on Dawson Street yesterday. The activists poured red paint over it. The plaque, made of brass, marks the site of the first meeting place of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.

“The Orange Order is a sectarian Fascist organisation that has no place in Ireland.

Anti Imperialist Action Ireland will continue to stand in support of the Garvaghy Residents.

The whole of Republican Ireland stands with Residents.

The Orange Order will Never match down the Garvaghy Road!, “ the AIA said in a statement. 

AIA undertook this action in support of the Garvaghy Road residents. The Orange Order have been granted permission to march down the Garvaghy Road for the first time since 1997 following a stunning u-turn by the Parades Commission, a decision which is staunchly opposed by the nationalist residents of the area. The residents have been successfully blocking the road all week to prevent the march from going ahead, while the colonial Orange Order insists on taking what they call the "historical" route through the road.

Garvaghy Road is where a small minority of nationalists residents live in Portadown, which is a majority protestant town, marking this a long-standing dispute. Notably, loyalists have murdered numerous Catholics during this dispute, with at least 30 deaths, most famously the Quinn brothers at the hands of the UVF in 1998. The last time this march was allowed to go ahead, violent scenes ensued as the PSNI cleared off, and forced people into their homes to let the Orange Order march pass. 

The Orange Order, and assorted loyalist forces, are used by the British State as reserve shock troops to uphold the occupation of the 6 counties. 

Aontacht Media has reported on the events directly from the ground, and will continue sharing updates to this developing story.