Around 1,500 people are taking part in a Palestine solidarity march from Lurgan to Omeath today, passing through the village of Scarva in County Down.

The march was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The Parades Commission gave approval for both the procession and a counter-protest by the Scarva Concerned Residents Group.

Conditions imposed by the Commission require march participants to remain on the Newry Canal Towpath while passing through Scarva and not to enter the village. For that section of the route, flags, emblems, chanting and singing are prohibited.

The counter-protest included members of the Markethill Volunteers band. South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe attended the residents’ protest and said the police operation was heavy-handed.

Forsythe stated that officers had completely blocked off the bridge, which she said would antagonise people. She indicated that a complaint would be made to the PSNI alleging two-tier policing.

DUP politicians met with the Parades Commission last week to raise concerns about the event. Last year four arrests were made at a similar event in Scarva following tension between the two groups.