A US Senator who visited Garvaghy Road believes people on the side of peace and progress will prevail.
Democratic Senator Joe Cryan has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2018, representing the 20th Legislative District. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, his father was John F. Cryan, an immigrant from County Roscommon.
Joe has been in Ireland this week as part of the annual Belfast International Homecoming.
During his time here he took time out of his busy schedule of events to visit residents of the Garvaghy Road to show his support amid the stand-off and dispute over an unwanted Orange Order parade through the area.
Senator Cryan said: "I have been following the news back home. My trip here was planned of course and I wanted to go down and show my support.
"What struck me the most talking to people on the Garvaghy Road was how much people want to move on. From those in the community centre to people on the road, they just thought how unnecessary this all is.
Senator Joe Cryan, right, on the Garvaghy Road
"That was an incredibly telling thing for someone who is not here every day. Frankly, it was inspiring.
"For me, there is also a great sense of frustration that we were done with this. It is a little bit of wake up call. People think it is ridiculous that there has been almost three decades of not having this problem, what are we doing now?
"I believe that it will pan out with people who want peace and progress will prevail, no matter how hard some try to bring us back to days gone by."
