Chairperson
Derry Ógra Shinn Féin
Young republican delegates from as far away as Waterford travelled to Derry at the weekend (Jan 30 - 1 Feb) to take part in Ógra Shinn Féin’s Youth 4 Truth weekend.
The educational weekend, coincided with the annual Bloody Sunday events, and the main theme set the context for many of the talks and debates.
Following a late arrival in ‘Free Derry’, activists were welcomed by Derry Ógra Shinn Féin, before watching the ‘Bloody Sunday’ film.
The film helped inform people of the events of that tragic day, and a very wet tour of the Bogside the following morning by Gerry McCartney, who was there on the day, further explained the lead up to Bloody Sunday, the day itself and the aftermath, recollecting difficult yet emotive personal memories.
The tour was concluded in the Bloody Sunday museum where John Kelly of the Bloody Sunday families gave a tour of the museum and spoke about the ongoing Saville inquiry and discussed the recent Eames/Bradley report.
After a brief respite in the museum from the bitterly cold and rainy Derry weather, it was back outside again to launch Ógra Shinn Féin’s new mural ‘International Terrorists.’
The mural which was painted by Ógra activist Niall Doran, and erected on the back of Free Derry Corner, links the struggle of those fighting imperialism across the world, fighting against US, British or Israeli imperialism, joined in a global struggle against these ‘International Terrorists’, who occupy, murder and maim with impunity.
Following a well deserved lunch, Ógra activists made their way back to the Bogside as a talk on ‘Cuba – 50 years on’ was delivered in Pilot’s row.
The packed to capacity talk, had contributions from Dr Una Lynch, who explained in indepth the inspirational Cuban health system, Peter Leary who spoke about Venezuela and the progressive movement of change sweeping through Latin America and a representative from the Miami 5, spoke of the ongoing illegal detention of the Cuban citizens and ongoing terrorist attacks by the US.
The talk concluded the events for the day, and a more informed, educated and resilient youth marched on Sunday, more determined to demand and achieve the truth for the Bloody Sunday families.
4 comments:
Great weekend, thanks for having us!
Excellent weekend, well done to Derry!
Hi Comrades,
Could not help but be impressed with the large numbers of young people participating in the Bloody Sunday March & Rally.
The posts regarding the weekends events are impressive. Its really good to see a competent, highly articlate and very visible young leadership appearing in Derry. More such cadres need to be built throughout the country. Niall Doran must be commended for his brilliant mural.
Now is the time for stepping up the efforts of Irish youth in pursuit of true liberation and social justice. Neo-liberalism is on its knees - let us bury it.
i have to agree here with all the comments, the weekend was a credit to those who organised it! the talks were fantastic and a brilliant weekends craic was had by all. :)
well done to niall for the mural...its fantastic!
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