Nothing can derail the ongoing march for justice. Not the state or even the weather, as the relatives of those murdered on Bloody Sunday know all to well.
This year marked the 52nd anniversary of the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry. A day in which 14 innocent civilians where executed and another 14 fell wounded during a Civil Rights march, against the introduction of Internment policy by the British government.
Seen as an attempt to silence unruly locals, the establishment unleashed members of the British Parachute Regiment, the majority of those who lay dead had been card carrying members of Derry’s trade union movement.
This year's international solidarity was understandably given over to the people of Palestine facing genocide at the hands of the Israeli regime. The March for Justice was one of the largest demonstrations in the city for many years. Thousands of participants carried Palestinian flags. Itself a symbol of international resistance and solidarity against their ongoing occupation and genocide.
Cries of 'FREE FREE PALESTINE!' echoed around the narrow streets of the Creggan and Bogside as locals joined in growing numbers and the media documented proceedings of what is an historic event locally.
The annual demonstration was made up of a number of community campaign groups, radical political groups and societies, environmental groups, justice groups, trade unions and Palestine Solidarity Campaigns. Creating a wave of chants and slogans for an immediate 'Ceasefire NOW' to 'Genocide Joe' to go, which even began to drowned out the sound of bands at times participating.
Kate Nash of the Bloody Sunday March Committee, whose brother and father died as result of the actions on January 1972 addressed those assembled as the march arrived at the iconic Free Derry Wall.
Beside her, stood an activist from the direct action group Palestine Action, Huda Ammori who was one of several speakers to address those gathered.
Huda who was one of the Elbit Eight, told those gathered that Derry for her felt like home because of the strong ties with Palestine and the dedication to resisting oppression. As the march arrived she was introduced to the Raytheon 9 Women who ended the arms manufactures role within the city which formed part of the supposed "Peace Process" dividend.
Remarking on the solidarity extended to the people of Palestine Huda said the dedication of the march to Palestine meant so much to her and to the Palestinian people.
"As a Palestinian, I feel honoured to be in Derry speaking on the 52th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. And even though I may not be in my homeland today, when I’m in Derry I feel like I am home, because I know the people of Derry stand with Palestine, I know they will always stand with Palestine and I know they will never welcome collaborators with the Zionist regime.
(Photo Credits Niall Ó Brolcháin)
"52 years ago the British occupying forces slaughtered 14 of your own for rising up against the occupation. Those same occupying forces assassinated my grandad for rising up against the British colonisation of Palestine in 1936. The British signed away the land of Palestine in 1917, they colonised our lands and then they armed and trained the Zionist militia to commit a Nakba, to displace over 750,000 Palestinians in 1948, over half the indigenous population.”
This historic occasion, such as the Bloody Sunday March for Justice, should never be allowed to be silenced as it gives a voice to the demands of the families who continue to seek truth and justice for the events on that terrible day by in 1972. It also should never be forgotten, that such a vehicle as the March for Justice has given a voice to those who seek justice for their loved ones. Both here in Ireland as elsewhere. The actions of the organisers of this beautiful annual event have given a powerful voice to the slaughter of innocent Palestinian civilians at a time when the West's media has remained silent to the genocide in Gaza.
The banner carried by the Industrial Workers of the World from across but islands on the day proudly read 'An injury to one is an injury to all'
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