A-Infos (en) Bloody Sunday march in Derry

[anarchy_irl <anarchy_irl@geocities.com>]

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     A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
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Background: A report on the Bloody Sunday march
in Derry this weekend.  The anarchists mentioned
in the text were from the Workers Solidarity
Movement and Organise! (IWA) as well as
unaffiliated Derry anarchists

'The inquiry has given us all hope'  
from the Irish 
Times

By Suzanne Breen, in Derry

>From all over Derry, they gathered at Creggan in the 
Bogside yesterday, just as they had done 26 years 
ago. There were crowds from Belfast, Dublin, and 
Galway too. The music from the bands drifted down 
the long, hilly streets to the shores of the Foyle.

Tens of thousands of people took part in the march 
to commemorate Bloody Sunday. When you looked back 
from any given point, there were thousands of people 
in front and behind, as far as the eye could see.

"It's wonderful, just wonderful, to see so many 
people here," said John Kelly. "The inquiry 
announced by the British government has given us all 
hope. This is the first year that everyone on the 
march is smiling."

Mr Kelly's brother Michael (17) had set off to the 
anti-internment demonstration in 1972 in his new 
blue suit, laughing with friends. He didn't come 
home. His mother Kathleen had been saving to buy him 
a car. She bought him a headstone instead.

Mrs Kelly (74) never went to the commemoration but 
yesterday she was there, watching from a car. "It 
broke my heart losing my son," she said. "This new 
inquiry is the answer to my prayers."

The families of the dead led the march, carrying 14 
simple white crosses. Other relatives walked behind 
with photographs of their loved ones. Black flags 
flew from many houses.

Just as with the original march, there was a 
carnival atmosphere. Trailers sold burgers. Couples 
walked hand-in-hand. Children showed off on their 
bicycles. A journalist even brought his dog.

A myriad of smaller political groups, including the 
Irish Republican Socialist Party, Socialist 
Democracy, the Socialist Workers, and the anarchists 
handed out literature to the crowds. Republican Sinn 
Fein had three different leaflets.

It took more than 11/2 hours for the marchers to 
make their way to Free Derry Corner where they were 
addressed by a range of speakers, including ones 
from Sinn Fein and the SDLP.

The politicians demanded that the new inquiry be 
comprehensive and independent. The people agreed. On 
a wall nearby the graffito read: "Bloody Sunday 
1972-98 - The Truth Must Be Told." 
-- 
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
            Struggle in Ireland
http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/revolt.html

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