The banning of the proposed Orange march along the Garvaghy Road was no long-term solution. It reflects the failure of any talks or mediation. For the future, that bodes ill. However, there was relief. On the Garvaghy Road itself there were cheers. Secretary of State Chris Bryant was certainly popular there. For some in Unionism, too, there was relief. It got them off the hook of having to support or oppose the march. The ban, though, postponed the problem. Banning can be used on all. I am old enough to remember the Shankill Road riots of October 1969. Loyalists rioted against the disbandment of the B-Specials. They shot and killed a police officer. The army gunned down two Protestant civilians. There is no evidence either had anything to do with shooting the police officer. Moreover, all evidence is that neither was taking part in rioting. In general, Nationalists supported the army action. Within months, the army had turned on the Nationalist areas.
