UPDATE: Northern Ireland headquartered Protestant fraternal society the Apprentice Boys of Derry defend right to stage a Highland Council sanctioned march through Inverness
A senior figure in a “Protestant fraternal society” headquartered in Northern Ireland has defended the right of members to march through the streets of Inverness.
William Moore, general secretary of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, said the Highland Council-sanctioned parade on Saturday, April 20 was a straightforward celebration of the culture and heritage of members based in the north of Scotland.
Highland Council has notified the public of temporary road closures on the day between 2.45 pm and 4.30 pm, with the march set to take in streets including Victoria Drive, Crown Drive, Crown Road, Eastgate, High Street, Bridge Street, Castle Road, Ness Bank and Cavell Gardens, Haugh Road.
A post by the council on the closures stoked controversy surrounding the march among local members of the public outraged at what they claimed was a “hate march” fuelled by anti-Catholic bigotry.
A number said the march did not belong in Inverness, although marches involving members of the organisation have been staged since at least 2008, according to council records.
But Mr Moore claimed that the voices of dissent betrayed a lack of respect for other cultures.
He said: “The City of Inverness Apprentice Boys Club has been holding an annual parade in Inverness since the club opened over 15 years ago.
“There has never been trouble at the parade which consists of a few hundred members. The event creates very little disruption and concludes after a short walk through the city centre.
“The people who describe the parade as a hate march really need to reflect on their own level of respect for other cultures and traditions.
“The parade is simply members of the association commemorating and celebrating their history and culture.
“(That is) a privilege our forefathers fought and died for, to ensure freedom of expression for everyone.
“The Officers and Members of the governing body of the Apprentice Boys of Derry commend and congratulate our members in Inverness for organising this annual parade, thus ensuring the sacrifice of our forefathers is not forgotten in the North of Scotland."
