Bloody Sunday Weekend – Truth and Justice Anois!

Young republicans from across Ireland made their way to Derry last weekend for the Annual Bloody Sunday Youth Weekend.

The weekend of events has been organised by Ógra Shinn Féin over the past number of years and it continues to gather pace and attract more young republicans every year, who are keen to be educated through the many educational talks, meet with other like minded young republicans and to march in solidarity with the families of those brutally murdered on Bloody Sunday.

Friday night began with an introduction from Sinn Féin Mayor of Derry Paul Fleming, who gave a warm welcome to delegates and stressed the importance of the quest for truth and justice for the Bloody Sunday families. Next on the Friday night clár was a showing of the film ‘Sunday’ which was introduced by Martina Anderson MLA, and proceedings ended with a rebel night with music by Gary Óg, and the highly acclaimed Liam Lappin.

Saturday morning began early with a tour of the Derry republican plot by local republicans Micky Kinsella and Charlie McMenamin. Following on from this, two talks where hosted in the Culturlann centre. The first on the brutal censorship in the Basque Country, and the second, on Youth for Truth, which focussed on the ongoing fight for justice and truth for families bereaved through state violence and collusion. The talk which was hosted by Ógra Shinn Féin had John Kelly of the Bloody Sunday families, Mark Thomson of RFJ and Raymond McCartney MLA speaking. Saturday’s proceedings where brought to a close with a family wreath laying ceremony at the Bloody Sunday monument.

Sunday morning came early for anyone who had enjoyed the festivities of the night before, with a walking tour of Derry, that took in both the ancient and recent histories of the city, and focussed in particular of the huge role that young people have played in the republican resistance of Derry. On the way to the beginning of the march, Ógra launched a mural, on their new national campaign, ‘Who fears a United Ireland?’ which was witnessed by thousands who took part in the Bloody Sunday March. Ógra then took up their position in the march, walking behind a banner, demanding an end to academic selection. It was particularly apt as young people where carrying it, and because Ógra have an ongoing campaign ‘Educate to be Free.’

Speaking on a highly educational and successful weekend Derry Ógra Shinn Féin chairperson Adrian Óg Kelly said,

“Ógra Shinn Féin fully supports the rightful demands of the Bloody Sunday Families for Truth and Justice. That was the main and overriding reason why so many young republicans and Ógra activists travelled to Derry this weekend, to stand shoulder to shoulder with the families and to add pressure and support in calling for their demands to be met.”

“While we had a very educational weekend, and many learnt a lot, particularly of the ongoing campaign for truth and justice, we where heartened and inspired by the resolve of the many family members who attended the Youth For Truth talk. It is their resolve and determination that will ensure that truth and justice will become a reality and Britain’s bloody legacy in Ireland will be shown internationally for what it is. We in Ógra Shinn Féin aim to be beside the families at every stage of this campaign.”