Report from 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday March

ireland / britain | community struggles | news report Thursday February 02, 2012 17:56 by Sean Matthews & Sean Dubh - WSM & Derry Anarchists

Despite the opposition of the governing SInn Fein party, relatives of families of the victims of Bloody Sunday and political supporters, including Irish anarchists, marched in remembrance last Saturday. A report from the anarchists present and a background to the issues behind those determined to continue the annual commemoration. [Italiano]

A few thousand people took part in the 40^th anniversary Bloody Sunday march demanding real truth and justice after the publishing of the Saville report this year which confirmed that the massacre was ’unjustifiable and unjustified.’

This years march clearly divided the families and relatives of the Bloody Sunday Trust with the majority deciding to end the march with some pressure being concerted by Sinn Fein. Despite attempts by the political class to co-opt and de-radicalise the march and brush it under the carpet as part of the new shiny image of Northern Ireland there was a better than expected turnout, the Irish Times estimated 3,000 took part. Derry anarchists and the WSM were present along with a host of political and social organisations including the Independent Workers Union.

The march ended with the traditional rally at Free Derry Corner without any politicians speaking instead relatives of the victims spoke. The speakers referred to the fact that the Saville enquiry only confirmed what they already knew - which was that their family members were innocent and they questioned the lack of prosecutions which is allowing those who gave the orders on the day to get away with murder. The continuing unjust selective internment of Martin Corey, Marian Price and the ongoing degradation of republican prisoners at Maghaberry was also highlighted, along with the systematic lack of social housing, unemployment and cuts to services which our local politicians are trying to sweep under the carpet.

The rally organisers pledged that the march will continue providing a focal point for those who suffer injustice and oppression anywhere. For anarchists, we can expect little justice from the state and capital which is the greatest practitioner of state terrorism and violence. Its needs to be destroyed root and branch with a new society that benefits all.

Leaflet distributed at the march by social justice activists and feminists.

Today we march in solidarity with all the Bloody Sunday family members and those who are organising the March for Justice.

We also march in solidarity with the mothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina who since 1976 are campaigning to hold to account those responsible for the disappearance of their sons and daughters during military repression in the country; 
with the women in the Middle East and beyond who, through non-violent protests, resist the imperialist aggression which is tearing apart their families and communities and ignores their sovereignty as a people;
with the indigenous women who fight displacement and land deprivation against a capitalist corporation economy, and who argue the limitations of international law;with all those women worldwide who employ civil disobedience as a legitimate weapon to challenge the structures of power that violates their and their fellow citizens human rights, knowing that reprisals will be hardest on them just because they are female, and more likely to suffer social marginalisation and sexual violence;
with all those incarcerated for their beliefs, noncompliance and nonconformity.

Today we march in solidarity because their struggle is our struggle.

Campaigning for justice is not an isolated issue or individual protest around the world, it is an attempt to overthrow the tyranny of power and to call for a world in which truth, justice, human dignity and political freedom are celebrated, a world in which women, the oppressed, the dispossessed and the indigenous people are all free individuals within a collective of equals.

The issues which brought civil rights protesters out on the streets of Derry in 1972 continue to be issues for a new generation. Throughout its forty years, the march has raised a voice nationally and internationally for a better world. We hear that voice. Listen to the cry!

Sean Matthews & Sean Dubh (Derry anarchists)