1972: Army kills 13 in civil rights protest

[two gun sid]

From the BBC-On This Day:
British troops have opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators in the Bogside district of Londonderry, killing 13 civilians.

Seventeen more people, including one woman, were injured by gunfire. Another woman was knocked down by a speeding car.

The army said two soldiers had been hurt and up to 60 people arrested.

It was by far the worst day of violence in this largely Roman Catholic city since the present crisis began in 1969.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/30/newsid_2452000/2452145.stm


Just thought I'd remind everyone.

Also check out:

http://www.bloodysundaytrust.org/

[JohnKleeb]

1. sigh what a sad day it was

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

2. I remember that day very well.

My sister was married at the time to an English fellow. She and her then husband had returned to the US in the spring of 1971 after living in England since their marriage. They divorced about 8 years later.

They were over for dinner and we sat down to eat right after the news was shown on NBC and of course the lead story that night was the killings in Derry.

My father, who was normally a very congenial man, didn't speak a word to my then brother-in-law for the rest of the night. Daddy was as angry and upset as I'd ever seen him.

My sister, being the dunce that she was and still is, made some nasty comment about the civil rights marchers and believe me, Daddy went OFF on her.

She had forgotten the fact that my uncle and first cousin were in Belfast in July/August of 1969 when "The Troubles" really started and saw first hand the Catholics being burned out of their homes and such.

Needless to say, my father and sister didn't speak until she apologized to him about a month later right before she and the Brit BIL moved to Florida and the Brit BIL never set foot in our house again.

[two gun sid]

3. I was 10 years old when it happened

I come from a family that always talked politics and current events at the dinner table so I was a little more aware than most my age. I remember seeing the film on the evening news and being pissed at the Paras. I hadn't been as aware of the Troubles prior to 'Bloody Sunday'. Although I did know the catholics were being victimized in NI.

After that day it seemed the news everyday from NI was bad. I'll probably be flamed for this but, I remember feeling that the IRA were hero's and not terrorists.

Do you remember the picture of the mural at Free Derry Corner that said "You Are Now Entering Free Derry"? I will always think of that.

I'd like more people in this forum to tell us their memories of "Bloody Sunday'. Thank-you for yours.

Sid

[DaveinMD]

4. I agree with your comments about the IRA

for the most part, they are defending their community.