A mobilisation in solidarity with the Garvaghy Road residents has been organised at Free Derry Corner after the Parades Commission approved an Orange Order march through the nationalist area.

Sinn Féin Councillor Christopher Jackson called on the people of Derry to attend the demonstration at 6pm on Friday.

Commenting after the Parades Commission approved the parade Councillor Jackson said: “This is a hugely retrograde step which risks undoing much of the progress made on parades over the past 28 years.”

An application by the Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge No 1 to parade from Drumcree Church along the nationalist Garvaghy Road to Carleton Street Orange Hall in the centre of Portadown on Sunday was approved on Friday.

“Twenty-eight years of peace is not a problem that requires a solution so this decision has caused considerable and understandable distress among the Garvaghy community and further afield.

“We cannot allow the progress of the past three decades to be undermined in this way and while I have no doubt the ruling will be legally challenged, it is important we now show our opposition to it and our solidarity with the people of Garvaghy Road.

“In order to do so, Derry Sinn Féin has organised a mobilisation at Free Derry Wall for 6pm today and I would call on as many people as possible to attend,” said Colr. Jackson.