Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald joined Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the protest, where supporters gathered in opposition to the planned procession.
Addressing those gathered, Ms McDonald said protesters were standing alongside residents of the Garvaghy Road and remained determined to prevent the parade from taking place. She also called on Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant to intervene and stop the march.
The Orange Order maintains that its members should be allowed to proceed because the Parades Commission has authorised the procession. The decision was subsequently upheld by the Belfast High Court following a late-night legal challenge.
Members of the Democratic Unionist Party have backed the marchers' position. DUP representatives said the Orangemen would remain at Drumcree Church while they waited for the road to be cleared, arguing that the legal ruling allowed them to proceed.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart criticised the involvement of Sinn Féin politicians in the protest and called on the PSNI to enforce the Parades Commission's decision.
The Ulster Unionist Party has also criticised the participation of political figures in the demonstration. UUP leader John Burrows said there should be consequences for First Minister Michelle O'Neill's involvement and argued that politicians should respect the rule of law.
Mr Burrows said the parade remained highly contested but pointed out that the Parades Commission and High Court had both permitted a restricted procession involving 35 Orange Order members.
He also argued that the situation would be different if marchers were attempting to use the road unlawfully, saying that both sides should instead seek a way to resolve the dispute.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has meanwhile appealed for calm. Its chair, Liam Kelly, said officers would be responsible for enforcing the court decision and maintaining public order.
He urged anyone opposed to the parade to protest peacefully and within the law, while also asking politicians and community representatives to reduce inflammatory rhetoric and help create conditions in which police can operate safely.
The Alliance Party has taken a different position, with MLA Nuala McAllister calling on the Orange Order to abandon the planned procession.
Ms McAllister acknowledged that the Parades Commission had made its decision but argued that the legal permission to march did not necessarily mean the parade should go ahead. She said an agreement between the communities would be preferable and called for tensions to be reduced.
The UK Government has also expressed concern about the situation and said its priority was preventing a return to the divisions of the past. It pointed to the progress made through reconciliation since the Good Friday Agreement.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has similarly called for calm, warning against developments that could undermine the progress made in Northern Ireland.
For now, the opposing groups remain in a stand-off. Protesters continue to occupy the Garvaghy Road, while members of the Orange Order remain at Drumcree Church awaiting the opportunity to begin their parade.
Police are continuing to engage with those involved as they attempt to manage the situation and prevent the dispute from developing into violence or disorder.
