Public Processions and Parades -
A Code of Conduct

Public Processions and Parades
A Code of Conduct
One of three statutory documents published by the Parades Commission following the commencement of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, on 2 March 1998.

Chairman: Mr. Alistair Graham

Published by:
The Parades Commission
12th Floor, Windsor House,
6-12 Bedford Street,
Belfast,
BT2 7EL

This material is copyright Parades Commission, 1998, and is included on the CAIN site by permission of the Commission. You may not edit, adapt, or redistribute changed versions of this for other than your personal use without the express written permission of the publishers. Redistribution for commercial purposes is not permitted.

Contents

Introduction by the Chairman of the Parades Commission

PARADES
THE PREPARATION
Routes
Timing
Bands
Stewarding
Providing Notice

THE PARADE

PROTEST ACTION

APPENDIX A:
General Behaviour for Anybody Participating in Parades

APPENDIX B:
Behaviour in the Vicinity of Sensitive Locations

APPENDIX C:
General Behaviour for Anyone Participating in Lawful Protests

Introduction by the Chairman of the Parades Commission

Under the provisions of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act, the Parades Commission's responsibilities will extend to all types of parades and processions in Northern Ireland. However, some parades which demonstrate an allegiance to a specific culture or tradition have particular potential to inflame emotions in local communities and cause widespread disorder. The vast majority of parades, however, take place in a peaceful and non-confrontational atmosphere.

The key provision in the Act is that the Parades Commission has been given statutory responsibility for issuing determinations in relation to parades. This Code has been prepared in compliance with Section 3 of the Act. This requires the Commission to issue a code providing guidance to persons organising a public procession or protest meeting; and regulating the conduct of persons organising or taking part in a public procession or protest meeting.

Under these arrangements, the Commission, rather than the police who formerly had this responsibility, may have to impose conditions with which the organisers will have to comply if a parade is to be allowed to proceed. Such conditions can range from the nature of the colours, flags and banners to be carried, the number and types of band and the music to be played, to the route to be followed.

The Commission's decision will be legally binding, but it is our fervent hope that we will have to exercise this function on only a very limited number of occasions.

This Code has therefore been prepared as a source of advice for those organising parades and marches for any purpose in public places. It is designed to assist organisers by providing both a checklist and reminder of the points they will need to cover and the issues they will need to address in planning, and on the day.

Its aim is to ensure that those participating in parades can do so while at the same time minimising disruption, annoyance or offence to those who work or live on or near the routes along which they pass.

Compliance with this Code will be a factor which the Commission will take into account in deciding whether to impose conditions on a contentious parade.

PARADES

THE PREPARATION

Routes
Having established the date, timing and size of the parade which is being organised, as well as the starting point and the destination, it will be necessary to give careful consideration to the route along which it is proposed that the parade should pass. While many of the routes may be traditional, in other words routes that have been followed by parades for many years, in finalising the route it will be necessary for organisers to gauge the following factors:

(i) Does the route pass through a city, town or village centre location or any other location on a day of the week and at a time when there would normally be a high level of commercial activity?
If so, it would be prudent to give those who carry out business in the area the maximum notice possible of the intention to hold a parade in order that they might make alternative arrangements for receiving deliveries etc. It would also be prudent to consider the possibility of an alternative timing.

This might be done, where circumstances allow, by for example distributing flysheets with details of the parade and organisers around shopkeepers in the area and seeking agreement to have some posted prominently in shop windows, or placing a public notice in the local newspaper.

(ii) Does the route pass churches or other places of worship?
In this case it will be important to determine beforehand whether any services, weddings or meetings will be taking place at the time of the parade. This can be ascertained by an approach to the relevant clergyman. A final check should be made in the 36 hours before the event for any emergency (e.g. funeral services).

If there are, and it is not deemed possible or feasible to re-route the parade, parade organisers should explore the possibility of adjustment being made to the time of the parade in order to avoid any disruption in access to or egress from the premises.

(iii) Will the route pass through a residential area?
There are two primary considerations here. First of all, it is a matter of courtesy to let local people know by, for example, placing a notice in the local paper or distributing flysheets, the details of the parade as early as possible so that individuals might make any adjustments necessary to their daily patterns of activity. For example, a normal routine of shopping or making hospital or other appointments can be changed, provided people have advance notice. In fact, if your organisation proposes to hold a number of parades in the same area, it is best to give early notice of the complete pattern of parades for the year ahead.

Second, if the parade will pass through an area where people of another cultural identity live, it will again be necessary to serve early notice and to include in that notice details of the person to whom representatives of the local community might approach about aspects of the parade.

In event of such representations being made it will important to take whatever steps are reasonable to meet residents concerns. In many cases, this is likely to amount to little more than the furling of banners and adjustments to the music to be played, but organisers should also consider alternative routes. Where it is not possible to reach agreement on self-imposed restrictions, it will be important to take steps to establish a line of communication aimed at achieving accommodation on the proposals for the parade.

Where communication is problematic, disputants should avail themselves of assistance from facilitators. The Parades Commission can help here, by suggesting individuals who have experience and training in performing this role.

(iv) Will the route pass along a main road or arterial route?
In most instances, parades will at some stage follow a main road and will require a considerable degree of cooperation and assistance from the police in diverting traffic. This can normally be done with minimum disruption to transitory traffic, but it will nonetheless be important to ensure that stewards are well informed of what action should be taken in an emergency situation where, for example, an ambulance, police vehicle or fire engine requires urgent passage along the route.

Timing
Parades during the hours of darkness pose health and safety issues not only for participants, but also for the police, spectators and other road users. This should be borne in mind when organising parades. Parades should begin and end at the time stated on Form 11/1. Such timings should be regarded as definitive and not merely a rough guide.

Bands
Bands are often a key element of a procession and whether directly linked to the main parading organisation or not, will be closely associated with that organisation by onlookers. Their standards of dress, performance, music and behaviour have the potential to enhance or diminish the public's perception of the organisation.

Stewarding
Stewarding is an important aspect in the control of parades and steps should be taken to ensure, well in advance of the event, that a sufficient number of trained stewards has been appointed. Training of stewards will not only involve providing clear instructions on the extent and limits of their responsibilities but also giving advice on how to handle a range of unforeseen and difficult circumstances. Training will also aim to ensure that stewards are fully aware of the provisions of public order legislation.

Some of the points to be covered will include basic first aid and crowd management. The number of stewards required will be influenced by the size of the parade, the length of the route to be covered and the nature of the route. In built up areas, for example, it may be necessary to ensure that there are static as well as mobile stewards.

It will be necessary to provide a clear and prominent means by which stewards might be identified by members of the public as well as parade participants and police officers. They should also have an established and rehearsed means of communication.

Providing Notice
The Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act requires that, where possible, at least 28 days advance notice of a parade is provided to the police on a prescribed form. The form must be signed by the parade organiser and handed in to a police officer, not below the rank of sergeant, at the police station nearest to the place of commencement of the parade.

While there is no legal obligation to do so, there is no reason why notice should not be served for a series of proposed parades for the year ahead. Doing so will help everyone in the planning process.

THE PARADE
Good preparation along the lines described above will help to ensure a successful event. On the day, it will be important to ensure that stewards and participants are fully aware of the route and of any last minute adjustments and the need to comply with any conditions or agreements to which the organisers have agreed, or which have been imposed by the Parades Commission. Appendices A and B provide more detailed guidance on behavour on the day.

Stewards should be particularly aware of any such details and should know how to contact police and organisers.

Participants should also be aware of the provisions in the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act relating to the consumption of alcohol. These give the police power to require the surrender of alcohol in certain circumstances: where a person is consuming alcohol and is taking part - or is about to take part - in a public procession, or who is present at or in the vicinity of any place on the route of a public procession.

The police also have power to require alcohol to be handed over where it is in the possession of someone travelling in a passenger vehicle (adapted to carry more than 8 passengers, e.g. a minibus or bus) which is travelling to a parade.

It will also be important to ensure that all participants, including bands, have clear information on any arrangements to ensure rapid and peaceful dispersal.

PROTEST ACTION

Section 7 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act requires a person proposing to organise a protest meeting that is related to a parade to give where practicable, a minimum of 14 days notice of that proposal to the police on a prescribed form. The form must be signed by the organiser and handed in to a police officer, not below the rank of sergeant, at the police station nearest to the place at which the protest meeting is to be held. Otherwise, the public order aspects of related protest meetings are covered by the provisions of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. Appendix C provides guidance on general behaviour for anyone participating in a protest against a parade. The emphasis is that all protest action must be conducted within the law.

APPENDIX A

General Behaviour for Anyone Participating in Parades

The following represents guidance for participants, some of which reflect provisions in existing law, which should be observed in addition to any constraints or conditions agreed beforehand with local residents or imposed by the Parades Commission.

A. Behaviour
All participants in parades must:

• behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity,
• avoid words or behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as provocative, threatening, abusive, insulting or lewd,
• obey the lawful directions of parade organisers and stewards at all times, from assembly to dispersal,
• abide by the conditions of this Code of Conduct,
• comply with police directions and in accordance with legislation.

B. Dress
No paramilitary-style clothing or regalia, including emblems or insignia of a paramilitary or proscribed organisation, is to be worn or displayed at any time during a parade.

C. Parade
Whenever possible, the parade should be positioned on one side of the carriageway so as to allow for the free flow of traffic, or as otherwise stipulated by police.

D. Route
Participants should keep to the designated route as directed by the police

E. Alcohol
Alcohol should not be consumed prior to, or during a parade. An organiser or steward, who believes a participant to be under the influence of alcohol, must take the necessary measures to remove that person from the parade.

F. Music
Restrictions on the playing of music will be in accordance with the conditions as set out in Appendix B of this Code.
No musical instrument will bear any inscription or mark of a paramilitary or proscribed organisation.

G. Flags etc.
Flags often have a legitimate historical significance, but in no circumstances should flags relating to a proscribed organisation ever be displayed.

H. Stewards
Prior to the event, parade organisers will furnish to the police the names of all stewards.
The number of stewards required for a parade will be determined by the police, after consultation with the parade organisers.

Stewards must:

• be properly trained
• be briefed by the organisers prior to the parade
• carry proof of their status, including names and addresses, at all times during the event, and provide this information to police on request
• be fully aware of their responsibilities and role
• be highly visible
• not consume alcohol before or during the parade
• be prepared to identify to the police any persons in the parade who may be committing any offence against the criminal law.

I. Policing
Organisers of parades must cooperate with the police from the time of submission of the notice of intention to parade until the parade's dispersal.

J. Dispersal
When a parade has concluded, all those taking part must disperse immediately. It will be the responsibility of the organisers to ensure compliance with police instructions in this regard.

K. Abiding by Conditions
Organisers must ensure that all participants in any parade have been informed, either verbally or in writing, of any conditions imposed.

APPENDIX B:
Behaviour in the Vicinity of Sensitive Locations

A. Places of Worship

• Hymn tunes only to be played.
• When church services are taking place, no music will be played.
• No irreverent behaviour.
• Marching should be dignified.

B. War Memorials or Cemeteries

• Hymn tunes only should be played
• Behaviour should be respectful
• Marching should be dignified.
  

C. Where the Majority Population of the Vicinity are of a different tradition, and in Interface Areas

• Behaviour should be respectful
• There should be no excessively loud drumming.
• Conduct, words or music likely to cause offence or sectarian antagonism are prohibited.
• Marching should be dignified.

APPENDIX C:

General Behaviour for Anyone Participating in Lawful Protests against a Parade

A. Behaviour

While lawful protest is a right, it is to be exercised responsibyl.
All participants in protests must:

• behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity,
• not attempt to stop, impede or otherwise interfere with a legal parade,
• avoid using words or behaviour which could be perceived as provocative, threatening, abusive, insulting or lewd,
• obey the lawful directions of protest organisers and stewards at all times, from assembly to dispersal,
• abide by the conditions of this Code of Conduct,
• comply with police directions and in accordance with legislation.
  

B. Dress
No paramilitary-style clothing is to be wom at any time during a protest.

C. Location
Protestors must be positioned so as not to obstruct a legal parade or the free flow of traffic. They must comply with any stipulation by the police in this regard.

D. Alcohol
Alcohol should not be consumed immediately prior to, or during a protest. An organiser or steward, who believes a participant to be under the influence of alcohol, must take the necessary measures to remove that person from the protest.

E. Flags etc.
No flags relating to a proscribed organisotion should be displayed during a protest.

F. Stewards
Prior to the event, protest organisers will fumish to the police the names of all stewards.

Stewards must:

• be properly trained,
• be briefed by the organisers prior to the protest,
• carry proof of their status at all times during the event, and provide this information to police on request,
• be fully aware of their responsibilities and role, be highly visible,
• not consume alcohol before or during the protest,
• be prepared to identify to the police any persons in the protest who may be committing any offence against the criminal law.

G. Policing
Organisers of protests must co-operate with the police from the time of submission of the notice of intention to protest until the protest's dispersal.

H. Dispersal
When a protest has concluded, all those taking part must disperse immediately. It will be the responsibility of the organisers to ensure compliance with police instructions in this regard.

I. Abiding by Conditions
Organisers must ensure that all participants in any protest have been informed, either verbally or in writing, of any conditions imposed by the police.