Both groups involved in this weekend’s Bloody Sunday anniversary events are focusing heavily on the ongoing war in Gaza.
A number of commemorations have been organised to mark the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday when 13 men and teenagers were shot dead by British soldiers while attending an anti-internment march and rally on January 30 1972. A 14th victim, John Johnston died later from the injuries he received.
The Bloody Sunday Trust, which represents the majority of victims’ families, will stage a memorial service at the Bloody Sunday monument at Rossville Street on Sunday at 11am.
The Trust will also stage a minute’s silence at the monument on Tuesday January 30 at 4pm, marking the exact time that British paratroopers entered Derry’s Bogside on Bloody Sunday.
Trust spokesman, Tony Doherty, a son of victim Patrick Doherty, said the 52nd anniversary was taking place under the shadow of events in Gaza.
Mr Doherty’s said: “Must of this year’s programme of events will reflect on what is happening in Palestine and the Bloody Sunday Trust is honoured to dedicate the 2024 anniversary of Bloody Sunday to the men, women and children of Palestine.”
The Bloody Sunday march committee has also focused on Palestine. The committee opted to continue the annual anniversary march following the publication of the Saville Report into Bloody Sunday.
This year’s event, retracing the route of the original 1972 march, will assemble at Creggan Shops, Central Drive in the Creggan on Sunday at 2.30pm before making its way to Free Derry Corner for a rally.
The main speaker at the rally will be Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action. Ms Ammori is a Palestinian/Iraqi has conducted extensive research and campaigns highlighting British involvement with Israeli authorities.
A spokesperson for the march committee said its commemoration poster featured the names of children from all over the world who had died at the hands of the state.
The march committee spokesperson said: “The people of Derry understand injustice and suffering only too well. We have long stood in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Free Derry Wall has often been a site of that support. It will be transformed once more into that over the coming days.”
