Civil Rights, 1968, and all that…

History Ireland Articles PDF Please click the link above to download the pdf file of the articles… These three articles appeared in History Ireland September/October 2008, volume 16 No. 5 An accompanying editorial said: The difference in 1968 was the advent of a university-educated generation fired up by the example of Selma Alabama, Paris ’68, … Read more

Bloody Sunday Film Shown in Derry

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

‘Freedom from division gave civil rights impact’

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

Bernadette McAliskey: Return of the Roaring Girl

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

How a phoenix lit the troubles flames

(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

Campbell: I was intimidated

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

Protests veteran reviews history

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