Great March for Gaza 2026
Yesterday's "Great March for Gaza" which marched from Lurgan to Newry then onto Omeath to cover the distance of the length of the Gaza strip and raise money for aid.
Following a fairly uneventful march last year, a significant campaign was pushed by Loyalists this year to try and get the march blocked from passing the village of Scarva. Efforts included booking a "sponsored walk" at the same time and location and politicians trying to apply pressure on the Parades Commission. The march was allowed to go ahead with restrictions on flying flags/emblems or singing/chanting when passing the village. The morning in Scarva saw press and photographers threatened out of the area as hundreds of counter protesters assembled in the village. Along the first half of the route marchers encountered a small protest at Drumnacanvy Rd and Sugar Island Rd was sprayed with slurry (liquid shit for fertiliser) ahead of their arrival.
Upon reaching the section of the canal path on the march route that passes the village, myself and another photographer encountered a crowd of Loyalist protesters that were waiting for its arrival on the other side of the river. While taking photos of the crowd a single stone was thrown across the river, prompting the march to be held back by the police while riot police with water cannons were brought up in readiness for major disorder. After 90 minutes of waiting, DUP and TUV representatives negotiating with the police discussed with the crowd's ring leaders and the march was permitted to pass whilst under protection from riot police with shields. Jeering and insults were shouted by the protesters as it passed by before continuing on to be welcomed by a rally in Newry.
