THE LONG MARCH TO CONTINUE!

Dear friends,

10th Anniversary - an invitation to stand with us again


Ten years ago on the 24th June 1999 the Long March set out from the Guildhall in Londonderry to campaign for the Restoration of our Civil Liberties and to tell the story of the Real Victims along with highlighting other issues of injustice.

Recently the rapidly deteriorating security situation in our country has proved that having unrepentant terrorists in government does not bode well for a peaceful and stable society, as the Irish Republican terror pogrom continues against the unionist community.

In response to this deteriorating situation the Long March Committee intends to implement a programme of events, aimed at highlighting the plight of the real victims of the past and now again of the present, all of whom have been so shamefully treated and the disgracefully betrayed.

The recent atrocity at Massereene Barracks Antrim reopened old wounds again for many who have suffered in the past and so, as a first step, it has been decided that in order to show our solidarity with the families of those two young soldiers as well as the civilians who were badly injured we should hold a short procession to the entrance of the camp where an Act of Remembrance will be held.

We would cordially invite you to take part in this procession, which will take place on Wednesday.13th May forming up at Fountain Hill, Antrim at 7.45pm and making its way to the Royal Ulster Constabulary Memorial and then on to the entrance of Massereene Barracks where the Act of Remembrance will take place.

We feel it is important that we all recognize, publicly, the sacrifice still being made by our armed forces in the defence of our freedoms and British way of life and that we send a clear message to our enemies that we too still haven’t gone away.

Please encourage family and friends to attend this vital demonstration of our resolve.


The Long March Committee

Traitors exposed in Scarva.

The Traditional Black parade in Scarva saw Unionists vent their anger at those members of the Loyal Orders and the DUP who have betrayed the Unionist community.

Daryl Hewitt (Portadown Orange District Master, who earlier this year met Gerry Adams) was heckled as he paraded through Scarva. He was asked where Gerry was and one angry member of the crowd demanded he remove his collerette as he was a disgrace.

David Simpson (DUP MP) was also heckled as he paraded to the demonstration field. However Simpson refused to parade back from the field. Imagine a DUP MP afraid of the Unionist electorate!

Meanwhile the TUV made the most of the day to give out leaflets which gained a positive response. The TUV also had a BBQ where they sold burgers to raise funds for the European Election. Members of the party claimed that they had a very successful day and had many encouraging comments from customers who pledged to vote for the TUV.

Dickinson blasts Compromise

The Rev. Stephen Dickinson was the guest speaker at the glorious 12th in Ballyclare this year. The Minister stated that Orangemen were living in days of great compromise both religiously and politically. The Rev. Dickinson stated that the order should promote the Protestant faith above all else and made a call for Orangemen to put 'Protestantism back into Orangeism'. He said that the promotion of pagan cultures through Chinese Lion dances was contray to scripture and should never be repeated by the Orange Order. The Rev. Dickinson made it clear that the reformed faith should never be compromised by the Orange Order.
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Turning his attention to political compromise the Rev. Dickinson blasted the DUP. The Rev. Dickinson stated that the DUP had released a leaflet to send to Orangemen. The leaflet was designed to convey what the DUP had achieved for the Orange Order. The Rev. Dickinson pointed out that all achievements listed involved securing funding. The Rev stated that the Order was not about money and culture tourism but rather it was about Protestantism!
The Rev. Dickinson went on to say that without the DUP the IRA who had murdered Orangemen and focused on destroying the Order would not be in government. The Minister went on to pay tribute to members of the Order, the B Specials, the RUC and the UDR who had unlike the DUP refused to compromise to the IRA.
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The sermon focused on the need for members to seek salvation through Jesus Christ. The Rev. Dickinson made it clear that religion and the Orange was not the way to heaven but rather through Jesus.
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The platform proceedings attracted an extremely large crowd. Many present remarked on the numbers who had gathered to listen to the Rev. Dickinson.
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Hundreds attend Ladyhill Bonfire

Hundreds enjoyed the 11th night celebrations at Ladyhill bonfire. The fire attracted a record crowd as hundreds turned out to hear speeches by Jim Allister MEP and the Rev. Stephen Dickinson review the past year.

Mr Allister slammed the DUP and claimed that in the year since he last addressed the bonfire many more people had come to the realisation of the DUP betrayal. Mr Allister stated that his TUV party had gained great support in the Dromore election. Mr Allister stated that with grassroot support the TUV could act to reverse the appeasement of terrorists and prevent the IRA rewritting history.

The Rev. Dickinson spoke of the leaflet released by the DUP to be distributed to Orangemen. He stated that the leaflet made claims of what the DUP had achieved for the Loyal Orders. The Rev. Dickinson stated that their list of achievements focused on gaining money. However the DUP were presiding over the destruction of Orangeism as its Protestant ideals were being softened in return for the funding the DUP claimed to have secured (part of which is from the Republic of Ireland).

Jim Allister MEP presents one of the prizes on the night

The Traditional Bonfire at Ladyhill

Happy 12th of July

V4D would like to wish everyone a happy 12th of July.

Remember when your out and about at the various 12th demonstrations and Scarva to let our politicans know your views!

Who turned off the lights?

(Wee Willy who suffers from stomach sickness - This year it is the thought of sharing power with Unionists that makes him sick)

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Last year Magherafelt Arch Committee removed pictures of William McCrea and Ian Paisley from the arch in the town in opposition to power-sharing with the IRA. The Arch had for some years used electric from a Bible shop in the town which has a close association with William McCrea. This year the shop refused to permit the Arch Committee use of their electric. It would appear that Mr McCrea had exerted his influence to leave the Arch Committee in the dark. When contacted by local papers Mr McCrea refused to make any statement regarding his decision to reject power-sharing with Unionists. The Arch Committee has successfully located an alternative supply of electric to ensure that a Unionist presence remains visable in Magherafelt.

Allister to Address Bonfire

Last year Ladyhill bonfire made the front page of the Newsletter on the 12th of July after Jim Allister addressed the large crowd. Mr Allister had indicated his intentions to form a movement against power-sharing with the IRA to rapturous appaulse. This year Mr Allister will once again address the crowd at the annual bonfire.

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It is also expected that Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters and Grand Chaplin the Rev. Stephen Dickinson will address the crowd concerning the Orange Order.

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Ladyhill bonfire is a traditional bonfire which has won the seal of approval from the Sixmilewater Cultural Society (organisers of the 12th demonstration in Ballyclare). The fire attracts a large crowd each year and encourages families. Bouncy Castles, live music, tug-of-war and stock showing all add to the fantastic atmosphere. The fun will commence from 9:30, with the fire being lighted at 11pm.

History being re-written

Writting in the Newsletter N R Greer asks 'whether black can be declared white in accordance with the whims of the peace processing elite.'

The article refers to the so-called "legacy inquest" into the death of Dermot McShane. N R Greer states 'in a riot in Londonderry 12 years ago. McShane, a one-time member of the criminal and terrorist gang the INLA, chose to insert himself into the midst of the riot during which some 1,200 petrol bombs, each capable of killing or maiming, were hurtled at the police and Army.McShane was hiding behind a hoarding when he was run over by an Army vehicle. In a rational world, it would be obvious that he chose to put himself in harm's way in the midst of a confusing and dangerous situation, that was misadventure and that no one else could be held accountable for his death, except perhaps the republican ringmasters who organised the riot. The jury in Londonderry decided it was all the Brits' fault for not following proper procedures.'

The full article can be read on the Newsletters website.

Portadown-Adams meeting - disasterous consequences

V4D has learnt that a number of members of the Orange Institution have tendered their resignations as a result of Portadown District meeting Gerry Adams.

It is believed that more resignations are pending the September Grand Lodge meeting were a decision will be made about whether Portadown District officers will face disipline for failing to adhere to Grand Lodge policy.

Meeting the man responsible for the IRA campaign that claimed the lives of many Orangemen has caused great distress for many of the most active members.

Remember this 12th of July: “Hundreds of Orangemen won’t be talking to Gerry Adams this twelfth, his comrades in SF/IRA seen to that, they murdered them!”

Larne Orange District vs Larne Council

Larne District Orange Lodge have been campaigning in recent weeks against the Council's decision not to fund red, white and blue bunting in the town for the 12th celebrations.

Larne Councillors claimed they were unable to support the bunting under equality legislation. However the Council previously provided bunting until this year. Therefore many of the Orangemen have seen the decision as the outworkings of the St. Andrews agreement.

Outraged Orangemen protested against the council's decision on Monday night. The district have now provided and erected bunting for the town.

Why the UUP rejected co-option

We don't speak for the UUP, but we could offer one reason why they decided to call an election in Fermanagh here it is:
Thomas Hogg. Mr Hogg was the DUP's choice for co-option to the council. Mr Hogg resides in Belfast and represents Belfast DPP. We don't know how he intends to co-ordinate his work in such contrasting constituencies.
We can't think of any better reason to reject a co-option.
NB: This post raises the reason that the UUP rejected the co-option in Fermanagh. They stated that inexperience coupled with the fact that Mr Hogg doesn't reside in Fermanagh made the DUP choice impossible to accept.
Disclaimer V4D has raised the issue of local government not being local for debate not personal attack.

Battle of the Diamond 2008!

Sunday night witnessed the latest battle at the diamond. Ian Paisley traditionally speaks at the Diamond every July, however this year he faced opposition that ensured his speech could not be heard.

Mr Paisley arrived at the service surrounded by personal security and PSNI but did not leave his car until the service had commenced clearly hoping to avoid any protestors before the service. (Mrs Delila) Paisley remained in the car throughout the whole event. Thee woman who convinced him to enter government with the IRA was unwilling to face the public!

As Ian Paisley approached the mircophone a banner was unveiled in the middle of the 150 crowd. (The numbers had dramatically reduced since previous years, evidence of reducing support for the DUP. The crowd was largely made up of DUP political identities including David Samson former strong man of Portadown, James Tinsley, Edwin Poots, Willy Irwin, Stephen Moutray and other councillors) The banner read 'No Terrrorists in Government'. Immediately those protesting and holding the banner were attacked by members of the crowd. Six young men pulled at the banner and kicked those protesting in a vile attempt to remove the banner and the voice of victims of the IRA.

Police arrived on the scene and managed to stand between the two factions but the small hardcore of Paisley supporters continued shouting and when possible pushing at protestors. While those protesting did shout over Paisley they did not begin or maintain the physical pushing and kicking of which the Paisley supporters commenced.

While the Paisley hardcore claim that the service was to preach the gospel and that no protest should have occured the protestors can point to the physical assaults of the Paisley hardcore who attempted to derail a peaceful protest.

Those who once claimed to be the moral voice of Ulster have been exposed as they adopted the bully boy tactics of their comrades in the IRA to silence opposition.

One protestor stated: 'I went to participate in a peaceful protest. In the past I followed Dr. Paisley everywhere and was a staunch supporter. I feel betrayed and wanted him to see my hurt. Unfortunately his new supporters turned the protest into a brawl, their behaviour was disguisting. Nevertheless I am proud to have been their to stand against the lies of that man. He should not be preaching the gospel he has done more harm to it than any other man in Ulster!'

As Paisley left the stage the PSNI attempted to hold the crowd back from his car but protestors managed to get over a grass verge to the car where they continued to tackle Paisley, asking why he had betrayed them. Mrs (Delia) Paisley crudely gestured to the protestors as the car sped off.

Ian Paisley will next wonder into the public sphere on the 12th of July at the Independant Orange Platform. Those who invited him should be ashamed. Nevertheless it will permit the ordinary Independant Orangemen an opportunity to demonstrate against the great betrayer once again!