The Easter holiday traditionally marks the start of the marching season and heralds a period of dread for thousands of people across the north.
In recent years individual contentious marches have largely become less of an issue, but the entire season has brought months of heightened tension interrupted by frequent outbreaks of sectarian violence in key interface areas.
For those people who live in these areas, particularly parts of north Belfast and the Short Strand in the east of the city, everyday life is a long nightmare.
While the vast majority of people will be looking forward to enjoying late spring and summer, residents of interfaces plagued by civil unrest will feel only fear and trepidation, knowing that the brighter nights bring troublemakers onto the streets.
Sectarian bitterness and intimidation have led to many families being forced to leave their homes, while districts which were once mixed have become polarised.
The disgraceful scenes of rioting and thuggery which have besmirched certain areas in recent years must not be repeated this year.
The Ulster Political Research Group, which has links to the UDA, issued a statement yesterday calling for calm over the Easter period.
Given the UDA's role in fomenting sectarian strife, this statement will be greeted with considerable scepticism.
However, this marching season will be an important test of the UDA cessation and indicate the direction in which loyalist paramilitaries are moving.
Anyone with any influence on local communities must use it to reduce tensions and keep people off the streets.
Residents of interface areas deserve a break from the annual spell of discord and tumult which brings so much misery to so many.
