Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday

40 years for the truth

Back in the 70’s, England was controlling Northern Ireland entirely. During this period, catholic Christians were discriminated because of their religion by the British government (which was protestant). These inequalities were appearing mainly during votes to the detriment of the Irish, especially to the Catholics. Therefore, catholic organizations were created to put pressure on the government and to obtain civil rights. One of the most famous was the NICRA (Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association) which organized non-violent demonstrations.

Bloody Sunday (also known as “the bogside massacre”) took place on the 30^th January 1972 in bogside, in the city of Derry (Northern Ireland). Around 15,000 to 20,000 people demonstrated in the streets although it was prohibited by the government. In response British paratroopers were sent. Once arrived, they shot in the crowd.

13 People were killed during this day; another one died 4 months later because of his wounds. Out of these people, 5 were shot in the back and 6 were only 17 years old.

After the slaughter, the British government claimed that the troops were targeting certain dangerous people they had recognized in the crowd.

The same year, a first inquiry was opened which concluded that the British army wasn’t guilty. Indeed, the latter argued the paratroopers had responded to shootings of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), a terrorist organization which wanted to unify Ulster and Eire by force.

However, many Catholics kept demonstrating against the British Government in order to demand the truth in tribute to the victims and their families.

25 years later, in 1997, a documentary was broadcasted by Channel 4, where testimonies of anonymous soldiers rekindled the polemic. Therefore, Prime Minister Tony Blair opened a second investigation in 1998: hundreds of witnesses were heard. But it was only in 2010 that Prime Minister David Cameron admitted the guilt of the British Army in a speech before the Chamber of Commons and apologized in the name of the Government: 38 years after Bloody Sunday, the victims were eventually acquitted.

                  “Bloody Sunday” became an inspiration for numerous artists such as the singer John Lennon and the famous music band U2 who both sang Sunday Bloody Sunday in homage to the victims of this terrible event. Several films were also realized, among which Bloody Sunday directed by Paul Greengrass.

To go further, listen to Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x5CHnB3kdg

What do you remember from the article ?

1) Who organized the demonstration ?

2) How many people died on January, the 30^th 1972 ?

3) When did David Cameron apologize in the name of the government ?

Agathe Feuillard-Hatton – Clément Lion – Pierre Estager – Gabriel Emperauger