CAMPAIGNERS opposed to Orange parades outside Catholic churches have given a cautious welcome to peace overtures.
Orange marching groups today extended an olive branch to their harshest critics.
Scottish Protestants Against Discrimination (SPAD), an umbrella campaign which includes members of different loyal orders, offered to sit down with Glasgow City Councill, police and others to diffuse tensions this marching season.
There have been growing concerns over marches and counter-demonstrations against marches, especially at a church where a priest was assaulted last year, St Alphonsus in the East End.
Jeanette Findlay, who chairs Call It Out, and organisation which protests against marches near churches, signalled readiness to talk.
She said: "We are not familiar with this group but if they are in a position to convince the Loyal Orders to voluntarily re-route anti-Catholic marches away from Catholic churches then we would be happy to explain to them, the council and the police why this is a reasonable outcome which protects everyone's rights."
Ms Findlay continued: ""It seems likely though that they are already aware of our request and the reasons for it."
Earlier a spokesman for SPAD, whose members include marchers but which does not organise marches itself, said: "We need to have dialogue with the council, the police and any groups that are protesting against parades to make sure these tensions do not escalate through the marching season. It should not be hard to sit down and alleviate any problems.We want everybody around the table, including Call It Out. “
LONG READ: 'Political polarisation' fears over Glasgow's 2019 Orange marches
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