Heavy police presence as pro-Palestine march and rival demo pass off peacefully
By Rebecca Black, Press Association
A pro-Palestine march and counter-protest have passed off without major incident in Co Down amid a heavy police presence.
Police officers, armoured Land Rovers, riot squad members and water cannons were among the resources in place ahead of the events in the afternoon.
The Great March for Gaza, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) in Lurgan, set off from the Co Armagh town towards Newry, to represent the 25-mile length of the Gaza Strip.
It aims to raise money for Palestine Aid Ireland and Children Not Numbers.
The procession travelled along the Newry towpath for part of the way, passing Scarva, where local residents had raised objections.
The Parades Commission granted permission for the march, but placed a number of conditions on it, including that no participant should enter Scarva.
Meanwhile, a group called Scarva Concerned Residents had permission for a demonstration on Scarva Bridge, with conditions including refraining from “provocative behaviour”.
Hundreds of protesters with Israel flags as well as Union flags turned out to oppose the march.
A line of police Land Rovers blocked off the bridge which connects the towpath and the village.
As the march passed along the towpath, protesters on the other side of the canal watched on.
It came after a similar event last year which saw what police termed as “minor disorder” and four arrests, as well as number of people cautioned.
