Britain Northern Ireland
FILE - The often barricaded Protestant church of Drumcree stands alone near the town of Portadown, Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999.
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The British government has blocked a contentious march in Northern Ireland after a two-week standoff. Secretary of State Chris Bryant intervened Friday night to ban the procession along Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The march was planned by the union-supporting Orange Order but faced opposition from residents of the traditionally republican area. The standoff stems from traditional marches by unionist groups celebrating their Protestant roots and ties to the U.K. The marches have long caused tensions with the largely Catholic republican community, which says they fuel conflict. Tensions flared after a court ruling allowed the march for the first time in almost 30 years.