31/01/2011

'Last Ever' Bloody Sunday Parade Held

Thousands of people turned out in Londonderry yesterday for the 39th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday atrocity.

Intended to be the last ever protest march, many lined the route of the original protest parade from the Creggan area to Guildhall Square in the city to recall how 14 people were killed when British paratroopers opened fire on the civil rights march in the Bogside area on 30 January 1972.

Organisers said they believe the Derry event should now come to an end following the publication of the Saville Report last year, which exonerated those killed and injured in the shootings.

After the actions of the soldiers were found to be "unjustified and unjustifiable", sparking an apology from Prime Minister David Cameron, the crowds that gathered in Derry marched behind a banner bearing the word 'vindicated' as they completed the route begun in 1972.

The march usually stops at Free Derry Corner, but instead went all the way to the Guildhall.

Earlier, hundreds gathered at the monument for the wreath laying on the first Bloody Sunday anniversary since the publication of the Saville Report.

Despite calls from some bereaved relatives for the annual march to be continued, most are said to have backed proposals to put the event to an end, with alternative commemorations to be chosen instead.

(BMcC/GK)

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