4.2.2011
(1) Irish Republican News, (2) Léargas
Sunday-Wednesday, 30 January-2 February, 2011
Sunday-Wednesday, 30 January-2 February, 2011
Justice still the goal after 'final' Bloody Sunday march
Over ten thousand people took part in what some have argued should be the final Bloody Sunday march in Derry.
The commemoration was the first since last year's publication of the Saville report which exonerated all those killed and wounded when British troops opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in January 1972.
Many of the marchers symbolically completed the planned route of the original anti-internment protest to Guildhall Square on Sunday.
However, some of the Bloody Sunday families broke off from the main rally in protest at the decision not to prosecute the killers of their loved ones and attempts to make this year's march the last. They marched instead to the parade's traditional climax at Free Derry corner.
The crowd on one of the biggest turnouts ever recorded emotionally applauded as the names of the 14 men and boys who were shot dead by British paratroopers were read out.
Those who rallied in the Guildhall Square sang the civil rights anthem 'We Shall Overcome' and were addressed by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and by the SDLP's Mark Durkan.
Mr Adams recalled the Ballymurphy Massacre in Belfast in 1971. He said relatives of the people killed by Paratroopers then also deserved to hear the truth and called for the establishment of an international truth commission.
"The British prime minister also said that Bloody Sunday is not the defining story of the British army in our country. Mr Cameron, Bloody Sunday is the defining story of the British army in our country," he said.
He said all victims of the conflict, including those killed by republicans, deserved to hear the truth. He said this could be delivered by a trust established by an international agency and supported by the British and Irish governments.
Mr Durkan said that while the Saville report exonerated the victims, it was not strong enough on the guilt of the killers. He singled out the case of Gerald Donaghey who, Saville claimed, had been handling nail bombs although this did not justify his killing.
In tribute to former mayor of Derry, Dr Raymond McClean, who died on Saturday, Mr Durkan said he knew the truth about the teenager's death. This contrasted with the British Army version accepted by Saville.
"This may be the last march in this form but it is not the last stand that we will all take in relation to truth, in relation to justice whether it is in relation to Bloody Sunday, the families of Ballymurphy or so many other people who have also suffered the loss of loved ones at the hands of unjustified and unjustifiable violence," he said.
Gerry Duddy, one of those bereaved by the massacre, said there were faults with the Saville report but the core message was inescapable.
"Innocence has been proven and accepted. This truth has at last been acknowledged," he said.
The rally was also addressed by Brid Voyle, whose mother Joan Connolly was one of those killed in the Ballymurphy Massacre. She called for continued support for the Ballymurphy families as they sought justice for their loved ones.
However, there was a poignant moment as the march split, with marchers led by relatives of victim Wllllam Nash leaving the main parade at William Street and symbolically marching to Free Derry Corner.
Linda Nash said the family believed the decision to cease the march was premature. "We're doing this because we feel we have a great platform here. We haven't received justice," she said.
Ms Nash said her family intended staging a march every year until the soldiers who shot and killed her brother and wounded her father Alex Nash were prosecuted.
JUSTICE PURSUED
The following day, it emerged that the families of 10 of the 14 victims of Bloody Sunday have now sought the prosecutions of the soldiers from the Parachute Regiment responsible for their deaths.
No soldier has ever been charged with the killings.
Senior British Army officials have blamed the soldiers for the deaths, dismissing claims that the soldiers were deliberately 'hyped up' for a bloody confrontation ahead of the parade.
However, almost 40 years after the event, a case is now being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service.
One of those pushing for prosecutions is John Kelly, whose brother Michael was shot dead when he was just 17.
Mr Kelly said that while the publication of Saville's report in June was "a euphoric day", he saw it as a stepping stone towards securing convictions against the soldier who killed Michael.
He added: "For 39 years we fought for truth and justice and while Saville gave us the truth, now we must have justice.
"This is something I have personally sought all along and have never given up hope of achieving.
"I am very confident that I, along with the other families, will see the soldiers responsible for their deaths prosecuted.
"Every death that day was labelled as 'unjustified and unjustifiable' by the British Prime Minister and in my book that's murder -- which was why we instructed our solicitor to proceed and prepare a case."
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
The Belfast-based firm of solicitors Madden and Finucane represent the 10 families. On Monday, their office confirmed that they submitted "detailed representations to the Public Prosecution Service requesting that those responsible for the murders and attempted murders on Bloody Sunday be prosecuted in court".
Solicitor Peter Madden said: "It is clear to us that the evidential and public interest tests for bringing prosecutions have been satisfied."
Welcoming the news, Mickey McKinney, brother of Willie McKinney, said: "I am aware that the majority of families quite rightly want prosecutions for the murder and attempted murder of their loved ones on Bloody Sunday. It is my family's hope that this submission will help the prosecution service move forward using the substantial evidence which exists to prosecute those responsible for the murder of my brother.
"June 15 last year was a great day of achievement for Derry. However, there is still unfinished business in that those who murdered and maimed our people should be held to account for their crimes.
"Murder is murder, and Willie McKinney would still be walking the streets of this town if it wasn't for what happened on Bloody Sunday," he added.
The Duddy family also agreed.
"On June 15 last year, David Cameron said that the killings on Bloody Sunday were 'unjustified and unjustifiable' and he also said that the British government took 'full responsibility' for this massacre. All we want now is for them to act upon this and do the right thing," said family spokesperson Gerry Duddy.
"Those who commit murder, attempted murder and perjury must be held responsible for their crimes like anyone else would be. If we are to be treated equally within the law, then it is only right that prosecutions will take place."
Copyright © Irish Republican News 2011
Sunday-Wednesday, 30 January-2 February, 2011
Bloody Sunday march participants attacked
Some of those returning from the Bloody Sunday commemoration in Derry on Sunday were taken from a train near Coleraine and brutally attacked by the PSNI police.
The Irish Republican Socialist Party spokesperson Martin McMonagle described an incident on board the Derry to Belfast train on Sunday as "outrageous, blatant sectarianism".
He said that in "a very dramatic and dangerous situation", a large number of passengers had been forced from the train by the PSNI, including women and children.
Members of the IRSP were injured, suffering a broken arm and the effects of CS gas spray, following the "unprovoked" attack.
"No reason was given, the PSNI simply entered the train in riot gear and before speaking immediately launched a savage attack on our members, supporters and others in the carriage," he said.
The incident reportedly began when the conductor on board the train learned that the victims had just attended the march in Derry. Prior to this the conductor had engaged in friendly chat, but according to those present, his demeanor immediately changed when he found out where they had been.
Events then turned sinister.
"In scenes reminiscent of times gone by the PSNI were waiting in large numbers at Coleraine for the train to come to a halt in a blatant set-piece situation," said Mr McMonagle.
"Accounts given to the IRSP indicate that there were between sixteen and twenty PSNI landrovers parked up around the train station in Coleraine with their blue lights flashing.
"When the train came to a halt the PSNI immediately began attacking all those on the carriage using implements such as extendable batons and CS gas spray."
After forcing the passengers onto the street in Coleraine, a number were arrested, with the others forced to make their own way home.
Fearing for their personal safety after being abandoned in a strange town, the passengers managed to get to a safe area in the town and from there managed to obtain lifts and taxis.
Mr McMonagle called on Sinn Fein Minister Conor Murphy to launch an an inquiry into the events and to take actions to prevent a repeat.
Copyright © Irish Republican News 2011
Sunday-Wednesday, 30 January-2 February, 2011
We shall overcome
By Gerry Adams for Léargas
It was bitter cold in Derry on Sunday for the Bloody Sunday march. There were thousands of people there in solidarity with the families and in celebration of the lives of those killed and injured almost four decades ago.
It was a poignant and emotional day for many people. The families of those murdered have decided that this will be the last Bloody Sunday march. So, Sunday was about completing the journey begun in the Creggan in January 1972.
Bloody Sunday was a turning point in Irish history and a personal crossroads for many thousands of men and women.
This blog wants to commend and congratulate the families of the 14 who were killed and those who were injured, their friends and neighbours, the citizens of Derry and the countless others around the world who together, courageously and relentlessly campaigned for truth and for justice for the victims.
Their efforts made the Saville Inquiry possible and its report published last June represents a huge achievement.
It was an extraordinary campaign for truth and justice and a remarkable victory in the face of official cover-up and lies, of misinformation, ridicule and threats.
It began in January 1972, when civil rights protestors were shot dead on these streets and it continued when a British government enquiry - Widgery - sought to exonerate the British army, blame the civil rights protestors, and blame the victims shot and killed by the paras.
Widgery tried to blame the organizers of the march. He tried to blame the IRA. He declared their deaths at the hands of British paratroopers to be legitimate. Saville exonerated the victims, declaring all those killed and wounded to be unarmed and posing no threat whatsoever to the British soldiers who shot them.
He also removed any responsibility from the Civil Rights Association and ruled out any suggestion that the IRA or members of the IRA had taken any action that precipitated events.
Saville admitted British soldiers fired the first shot and continued firing without any provocation. He dismissed notions that those who opened fire panicked, acted out of fear or confusion.
Their killing and wounding of unarmed civilians was "unjustified and unjustifiable," he said. Widgery had blamed the people of Derry, nationalist and republican. Saville declared them innocent.
Having led the campaign for justice for 29 years it was right and fitting that Sunday's march was led by the families walking behind a large banner proclaiming - VINDICATED.
It was a long march with occasional spats of chilly rain. When we eventually reached the Guildhall Square the Guildhall itself is hidden behind scaffolding and tarpaulin for renovation. So, the platform was set with its back to Shipquay Road. The thousands packed into the square and the families took centre stage in front of the platform holding their loved ones photographs up for all to see.
A flute player from one of the bands was to play Amhran na Fian but whether it was nerves or a problem with the flute the notes simply wouldn't run true. He tried several times but to no avail. The crowd appreciating his situation clapped in support and John Kelly asked someone to come forward to sing our national anthem.
Your man pushed me forward and along with Frances Black and our fluter comrade, and to the loud accompaniment of the crowd, we proudly sang Amhran na Fian.
The speeches reminded the crowd of how much had been achieved but also reminded us all of the work still to be done in achieving justice and truth for families. Brid Voyle gave an emotional, moving speech of the events in Ballymurphy in August 1971 where 6 months before Bloody Sunday the Paras murdered her mother and 10 other people, including a local priest.
The same regiment returned to the area six months after Bloody Sunday and shot and killed 5 people in the Springhill area, three of them teenagers, including a young girl of 13, and another local priest.
This blog reminded everyone of the words of Tony Doherty whose father was one of those killed by the Paras who eloquently expressed the families feelings last June when Saville was published. Tony said:
"The victims of Bloody Sunday have been vindicated. The Parachute Regiment has been disgraced. Widgery's great lie has been laid bare. The truth has been brought home at last.
"It can now be proclaimed to the world that the dead and the wounded of Bloody Sunday, civil rights marchers, were innocent one and all...
"The Parachute Regiment are the front line assassins for Britain's political and military elite. The report of the Saville Tribunal confirms this... ...democracy itself... needs know what happened here on January 30th 1972. The British people need to know. The Irish people need to know. The world needs to know.
"Just as the civil rights movement of 40 years ago was part of something huge happening all over the world, so the repression that came upon us was the same as is suffered by ordinary people everywhere who dare to stand up against injustice. Sharpville. Grozny. Tiananmen Square. Darfur. Fallujah. Gaza. Let our truth stand as their truth too."
As the names of those killed were read out the spontaneous response of the crowd was to begin to applaud and the applause continued unabated while all the names were spoken.
To conclude Sundays event Frances Black gave a rousing rendition of 'Something inside so strong'. But it didn't finish there.
This blog had also given her a note of a verse of 'We Shall Overcome' and asked her to finish on this.
Once again the thousands joined in to fill the Guildhall Square with the defiant and risen voices of a free people.
'We shall all be free. We shall all be free. We shall all be free. Some day. Deep in my heart I do believe. We shall Overcome One day.'
It was a hugely evocative and emotional day of remembrance and joyous celebration.
All of us have our own memories of January 30th 1972, and the issues of concern around Bloody Sunday haven't all been resolved. But for the families last Sunday one dark chapter in their lives was ending and a new more hopeful one is beginning.