Overview
- Hundreds of people gathered in Scarva on Saturday to oppose the Ireland‑Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Great March for Gaza, triggering a large counter‑protest.
- The PSNI deployed a heavy public‑order operation that included water cannon, armoured Land Rovers, Tactical Support Group officers and bridge closures that reshaped where crowds could gather.
- A photograph of Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart standing near masked individuals became the focal point for criticism from Sinn Féin, Alliance and the SDLP and prompted a public defence from the DUP that she helped de‑escalate the scene.
- DUP MLAs say police shoved elected representatives while trying to move into the crowd, an allegation the PSNI disputes as it says the operation was appropriate and that captured footage will be reviewed for any breaches.
- The episode has widened political tensions at Stormont over policing, parade rules and community impact and may lead to investigations or prosecutions depending on the police review.