This perspective is also compatible with the stark reality of continued punishment beatings, including the lack of adequate policing, and the virtual impunity from police investigation granted to many of the perpetrators. Politics of that type should certainly be de- masked for the sake of peace process. A peace which is based on these considerations is shaky indeed. In general, in most other parts of the world, public marches are used by the suppressed to protest repression, exploitation, alienation, or whatever. Marches are used not only to make a major problem visible, but also to mobilize, to confirm allegiance to common values, and to demonstrate a readiness to go beyond marching.
Marches are usually in favor of recognition and of parity.
States used to make use of representative troops for the same functions of marching, using parades to instill respect, even fear. It is regrettable that, in recent years, the issue of parades has become such as to be almost outside the powers of the police to contain, notably in Drumcree and Portadown. The marches in Northern Ireland are incompatible with any idea of symmetry unless the other community possess genuine equality in this marching process. In practice, it is inconceivable that nationalists would wish to, or be capable of marching through sensitive Protestant areas, thereby marking turf in space and important events in time. This could prove a recipe for disaster.