<P> There have been intermittent violent clashes during the march since the 19th century . The onset of the Troubles led to the dispute intensifying in the 1970s and 1980s . At this time, the most contentious part of the march was the outward leg along Obins Street . After serious violence two years in a row, the march was banned from Obins Street in 1986 . The focus then shifted to the return leg along Garvaghy Road . </P> <P> Each July from 1995 to 2000, the dispute drew worldwide attention as it sparked protests and violence throughout Northern Ireland, prompted a massive police / army operation, and threatened to derail the peace process . The situation in Portadown was likened to a "war zone" and a "siege". During this time, supporters of the Orangemen killed at least six Catholic civilians . In 1995 and 1996, residents succeeded in stopping the march . This led to a standoff at Drumcree between the security forces and thousands of loyalists . Following a wave of loyalist violence, the march was allowed through . In 1997, security forces locked down the Catholic area and forced the march through, citing loyalist threats . This sparked widespread protests and violence by Irish nationalists . From 1998 onward the march was banned from Garvaghy Road and the Catholic area was sealed - off with large barricades . For a few years, there was an annual major standoff at Drumcree and widespread loyalist violence . Since 2001, things have been relatively calm, but the Order still campaigns for the right to march on Garvaghy Road . The dispute led to a short - lived boycott of businesses owned by Orangemen and their supporters elsewhere in the region, . </P> <P> Membership of the Order was historically lower in areas where Protestants are in the majority, and vice versa . In County Fermanagh, where the Catholic and Protestant populations are close to parity, membership in 1971 was three times as high as in the more Protestant counties of Antrim and Down, where it was just over 10% of adult Protestant males . Other factors that are associated with high rates of membership are levels of unemployment that more closely match Catholic levels, and low levels of support for the Democratic Unionist Party among unionists . </P> <P> The basis of the modern Orange Order is the promotion and propagation of "biblical Protestantism" and the principles of the Reformation . As such the Order only accepts those who confess a belief in a Protestant religion . As well as Catholics, non-creedal and non-Trinitarian Christians are also banned . This includes members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints (Mormons), Unitarians, Orthodox Christians, and some branches of Quakers . </P>

How to become a member of the orange order