An appreciative audience packed Derry’s Orchard Cinema to watch Paul Greengrass’s harrowing film “Bloody Sunday” . The film was preceded by a performance by the Screaming Blue Murder Poets group. The performance was a tribute to those who struggled for Civil Rights throughout Europe and the US in 68 and those currently in struggle.The film … Read more
Andrea McKernon Irish News 06/10/08 THE Northern Ireland Civil Rights movement had such a huge impact because it was free from the divisions of sectarianism, Irish President Mary McAleese has said. Mrs McAleese made the comments at a conference in Derry at the weekend to mark the 40th anniversary of civil rights campaign. The conference … Read more
Forty years ago today, a police baton charge signalled the start of the Troubles. One student on that march became an icon of rebellion. Where is she now? Cole Moreton meets… Bernadette McAliskey The Indepenndent Sunday, 5 October 2008 Castro in a miniskirt, they called her. A “blazing star” and “an icon of the civil … Read more
Sunday Tribune – 5 october 2008 Forty years ago today, a Bogside demo sparked a huge campaign for equality. Suzanne Breen spoke to the movement’s unsung heroes. Sunday Tribune 5 October 2008 He remembers them gathering on the streets of Derry, full of naïve optimism, their banners lighting up the dismal streets. ‘One man, one … Read more
(by Liam Clarke, Sunday Times 5 October 2008) A senior British civil servant reviewing Republican News – strictly in the line of duty – was surprised to see a picture of himself, hair a little longer, paunch a little shorter, being lifted bodily by the RUC from a civil rights demonstration in the late 60s. … Read more
Newlsetter 6 October 2008 STORMONT DUP minister Gregory Campbell sparks outrage with speech on discrimination against Protestants. The East Londonderry MP was said to have caused “uproar” when he spoke at a 40th anniversary conference for the Northern Ireland civil rights movement. Backlash He suffered a vigorous backlash in Londonderry’s Guildhall on Saturday when he … Read more
Dan Keenan, Irish Times 4 October 2008 THE MARKING of the 40th anniversary of the Derry civil rights march of October 5th, 1968, should help provide lessons for the modern era, a Belfast conference has heard. Michael Farrell, a lawyer, author, rights campaigner and student activist in 1968 told a special seminar at Queen’s University … Read more
BBC October 2008 The civil rights movement would have been more successful if it had been properly structured, according to a leading figure. Journalist Eamon McCann helped organise many early demonstrations. He said marchers ended up reacting to things happening around them – rather than pursuing their own agenda. “We were making it up as … Read more