Bloody Sunday - a weekend of films, debates, performances, discussions and marching

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Wednesday January 18, 2006 21:52 by shane ocurry - A-FSM 0044 7968 210 645

Derry anniversary to host events on Shannon, Rossport, Anarchism, Palestine, 'Truth &Reconciliation'

An event commemorating the murder of 14 innocent civilians & subsequent cover-up by the British State, and which has as its keynote speaker the widower of one of the victims of the 1993 IRA Shankill bomb, is one that is bound to get the hair standing up on the back of your neck. This year the Bloody Sunday Week-end Committee have really put the boat out to re-focus the weekend as a beacon for the community and politically minded from throughout Ireland, and abroad. A glance through the programme of events tells it all...

Towards Justice

Towards Justice

On that Sunday it seemed the whole of Derry was there, the cause was just; the spirit of the time, ‘We shall overcome’ was infectious… Now, some 34 years after the day internationally regarded as the watershed in the militarisation of the conflict, we await the imminent verdict of the second British inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday and reflect on how we as a society can collectively move forward.

The very fact that a people’s campaign succeeded in forcing the British State to conduct a second public inquiry has itself, rightly, been regarded as a victory for the cause of justice. However recent legislative changes to the terms of reference of public inquiries compounded by measures currently on New Labour’s ‘war on terror’ agenda are already seeking to outflank this victory. Other unresolved miscarriages of justice under British jurisdiction such as the cases of: Pat Finucane, Billy Wright and Omagh are unlikely to face the scrutiny that the 1921 Inquiries Act empowered Lord Saville to bring to bear on Bloody Sunday. We ask, what is to be done for the cause of justice in these instances?

At a broader level still, while the peace process has not yet delivered inclusive local government in the north, the IRA’s act of putting its arms permanently beyond use surely moves us closer to that day and demonstrates consensus within republicanism and nationalism that we have arrived at a point in our history where political differences with Britain and unionism can be solved by exclusively peaceful means.

This year’s commemorative programme will draw out and reflect on these issues. The Annual Bloody Sunday Memorial Lecture, ‘Towards a Just Ireland’ will be delivered by Alan McBride whose wife Sharon was one of ten people killed by an IRA bomb on the Shankill Road in October 1993. ‘What Justice Demands from Saville’ will hear a panel of local people reflect on the experience of the inquiry and what they expect as a minimum for justice. ‘Dealing with the legacy of the conflict, dangers and opportunities’ will see people from across Ireland gather in Derry to discuss the way forward for the families and friends of those killed by state forces.

More generally these events create a space to come and reflect with others on the importance of justice here and throughout the world and to stand shoulder to shoulder, in solidarity with the families of the victims of Bloody Sunday and victims of injustice everywhere.


Wednesday 18th January 2006
11.30am LAUNCH EVENT
Launch of the Bloody Sunday Ribbon by the Mayor of Derry, Lynn Fleming
Venue: The Free Derry Museum, Glenfada Park, Rossvile Street






Monday 23rd January 2006

7.30pm FILM
Judgement At Nuremberg (1961, US, 179 mins, Feature)
Produced & Directed by Stanley Kramer, the film depicts the real-life trial of four German judges accused of ‘legalising’ Nazi atrocities. It dramatises how justice is often more to do with political considerations than any objective assessment of the truth. Spencer Tracey stars as the judge caught in the face mounting political pressure for a verdict that will serve the interests of pragmatic post WW2 Western power.
Venue: The Gasyard Centre, Lecky Road

Tuesday 24th January 2006

8.00pm FILM
The Corporation (2004, US, 144mins Documentary)
This film by Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott & Joel Bakan details the rise of the corporation and the threat it poses to freedom and democracy internationally. The film has won 24 International Awards and 10 Audience Awards including the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
Venue: The Gasyard Centre, Lecky Road

Wednesday 25th January 2006

8.00pm FILM
The Salt of the Earth (1954, US, 94mins, Feature)
Directed by Herbert Biberman-one of the “Hollywood Ten” jailed for refusing to cooperate with McCarthy’s Congressional inquiries the film tells the story of a strike by Mexican-American workers over dangerous working conditions. It was banned in the US for its daring political content which anticipated the civil rights and feminism movements by nearly ten years.
Venue: The Gasyard Centre, Lecky Road

Thursday 26th January 2006

8.00pm DRAMA
Political Assassinator In a world increasingly structured by military power what are the physical, psychological, and spiritual consequences of being a soldier, of forgoing moral considerations and saying "My country right or wrong"? Political Assassinator takes the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as the context for a riveting exploration of the nature of War in our time. Performed by Yoram Mosenzon this is a chance to see a world class artist at the height of his powers taking on a crucial question.
Venue: The Playhouse, Artillary Street

Friday 27th January 2006

8.00pm THE ANNUAL BLOODY SUNDAY MEMORIAL LECTURE
Towards a Just Ireland The annual Bloody Sunday Memorial Lecture will this year be delivered by Alan McBride, whose wife Sharon was one of ten people killed in the IRA’s bombing of Frizzell’s fish shop on the Shankill Road on the 23rd October 1993.
Venue: Main Hall, The Guildhall, Guildhall Square



Saturday 28th January 2006

12.00pm PANEL DISCUSSION
What Justice Demands of Saville
A panel of local people who witnessed events on the day or lost a loved one will give their personal views on what the community needs to be able to heal the wound of Bloody Sunday and move on. Panel: Mickey McKinney (family member), Eamon McDermot (journalist) and former Bishop of Derry, Edward Daily. The event will be chaired by Angela Hegarty who will also offer her view as a lawyer and human rights activist.
Venue: Main Hall, Pilots Row, Rossville Street

1.00 – 5.00 CONFERENCE
Dealing with the legacy of the conflict, dangers and opportunities?

1.00 – 1.45 Introduction
1.45 – 3.30 Workshops x 3
3.30 – 5.00 Report Back

With the welcome withdrawal of the proposed NI Offences Bill, the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team and news that the Police Ombudsman will also investigate ‘historic’ cases we ask where now for families who have lost loved ones to state forces in the conflict.
Following the opening discussion the conference will then break up into workshops, reconvene with a report back and draw the event to end with a closing discussion.
Venue: Main Hall (Introduction & Report Back), Pilots Row, Rossville Street

2.30pm PANEL DISCUSSION
FOR SALE - By Auction, A Small Offshore Island, Its People, Its Environment, Its Integrity Where the Pentagon calls the shots in Shannon, Shell imprisons farmers from Mayo and warmonger raytheon is welcome to Derry, are you for sale? This event will see a panel of activists speak about the campaigns against corporate power and corporate greed and the alternatives to doing nothing.
Venue: Main Hall, Pilots Row, Rossville Street

4.00pm DISCUSSION
Anarchism, the State and Justice
Can justice really be achieved if we get someone else to do it on our behalf – a lawyer, an NGO, a priest or a political leader? Are the means we use to achieve social justice as important as achieving social justice itself? And how important are the different political philosophies – reformism, nationalism, republicanism, and socialism - in getting to our goals? From the same tradition that inspired Emma Goldman, Mahatma Gandhi, Noam Chomsky and Leo Tolstoy, the Workers Solidarity Movement set out the case for Anarchism.
Venue: Committee Room, Pilots Row, Rossville Street

7.00pm FILM
Death in Gaza (UK, 2004, 80 mins, Documentary)
Written/Reported by Saira Shah, Filmed/Directed by James Millar, this is his poignant and unflinching look at the lives of three Palestinian children caught up in the cycle of violence, dramatically culminating in the director’s own death at the hands of the Israeli Defence Forces.
Venue: Theatre, Pilots Row, Rossville Street






9.00pm DRAMA
Political Assassinator In a world increasingly structured by military power what are the physical, psychological, and spiritual consequences of being a soldier, of forgoing moral considerations and saying "My country right or wrong"? Political Assassinator takes the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as the context for a riveting exploration of the nature of War in our time. Performed by Yoram Mosenzon this is a chance to see a world class artist at the height of his powers taking on a crucial question.
Venue: Theatre, Pilots Row, Rossville Street

9.00pm SOCIAL EVENT / FUNDRAISER
The all important fundraiser social event that gives people a chance let their hair down or gel it up. Live bands & DJs
Social Event @ the Gasyard Centre:
Venue: The Gasyard Centre, Lecky Road



Sunday 29th January 2006

11.00am MEMORIAL SERVICE

Wreath Laying Ceremony and Prayer Service – everyone welcome.
Bloody Sunday Monument, Rossville Street


2.30pm ANNUAL BLOODY SUNDAY COMMEMORATIVE MARCH
The Annual Bloody Sunday Commemorative March, followed by rally at Free Derry Wall. At the close of the rally the organisers are asking people to light a candle (3637 in total) in memory of all those people who lost their lives as a result of the conflict. Candles will be provided freely. Speakers: representative from Sinn Fein, SDLP and Mark Thompson (Relatives for Justice) Chaired by Kay Duddy, sister of Jackie Duddy who was one of the fourteen killed on the day.
Assemble 2.30pm Creggan Shops

Note: On Sunday 29th Café Creggan on Fanad Drive, Creggan will open from 11am to 3pm serving lunch and dinner.



The Bloody Sunday Centre has moved from Foyle Street to Glenfada Park in the Bogside. The Centre will be open to the public at 9.30am to 4pm every week day from Monday 23rd January. Phone number 028 71 360880



For further information on the programme of events please contact Adrian Kerr
@ the Bloody Centre 028 71360880

Bloody Weekend Organising Committee