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Migliaia di persone alla marcia commemorativa della Bloody Sunday 2011

Thousands attend last Bloody Sunday march

Thousands of people have been taking part in what could be the last ever Bloody Sunday march in Londonderry – and the biggest in years – on the 39th anniversary of the shootings.

Bloody Sunday 2011
But the event, which is the first march to be held after Lord Saville’s report into the 1972 killings of 14 civilians by British soldiers, has proved a divisive issue for the families of the victims.

The majority of relatives feel the time is right to put an end to the annual march.

John Kelly, whose brother died on Bloody Sunday told UTV: “The march has gone on for 39 years. The march was a tool to achieve a vindication for our people – and people are tired, we’re getting old.

“Going up and down the hills is getting harder all the time, so I think people are happy to see this as the last march.”

But Kate Nash, who also had a brother killed, doesn’t agree. She and her family broke off from the main parade and walked on alone.

“Sinn Féin runs the march, so obviously it’s Sinn Féin who are stopping the march – I don’t know the reasons for that, so I can’t answer that question,” she said.

“The only people it would serve is the British Government because it’s an annual reminder of the atrocities they committed in Ireland.”

But Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, who attended the march, said Bloody Sunday would be remembered in other ways.

The deputy First Minister told UTV: “There are many ways to commemorate those who died on Bloody Sunday and I think that’s what the people of this city will set about in a very short while.”

Sunday’s anniversary proceedings began with a religious service. In a highly symbolic move, it was attended by ministers from local Protestant churches.

“The symbolism of this is momentous and I’m hoping the ripples will spread out so that more people in my community will feel confident to join with their Catholic neighbours,” Rev David Latimer said.

The march followed the planned route of the original civil rights demonstration – from the Creggan shops to Guildhall Square – on which soldiers opened fire.

The decision to make this march the last was announced in a statement signed by the majority of victims’ families – but it was met with anger by some people who believe it’s too premature, especially given that next year marks 40 years since the atrocity.

On 15 June 2010, the publication of the Saville Report marked the end of a long-running campaign for truth and justice by the Bloody Sunday families.

It cleared those killed of any wrong-doing, leading to a public apology by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Earlier this month, organisers of the event told UTV the march would be held as a thank you to supporters.

Future anniversaries will be commemorated in the form of an annual gathering at the Bloody Sunday memorial, which will start at 4.08pm, the time the killings began.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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