Alexander CekalaNorthern Ireland: Bloody Sunday in 1972
In 1972 a march in Northern Ireland saw 13 people killed and 17 injured by British troops, who claimed to be responding to armed elements of the crowd. However, all other witnesses, including British journalists, say that no members of the crowd were armed.
The march
The march was to head to Guildhall, but was redirected to New Derry Corner. When some youths ignored this and began pushing through the barriers rubber bullets and teargas was fired.
British troops were then warned of a sniper in the crowd and they began to open fire with live rounds. However, most of the people killed were in fact in groups that were fleeing the troops and no evidence of weapons was found on the protestors.
The Aftermath
The masscre encouraged people to join rebel groups and gave force to those who claimed that Ireland would only enoy peace if it was united. It also meant that many catholics who had previously looked to Britain for protection began to see them as the enemy.
So...
Sadly this was one of many massacres that have taken place in Ireland. Never-the-less, it was still significant because it was one of the few in that period that involved the British army being directly responsible for large numbers of deaths.
Next entry, Monday,
See you then,
Adam
The march
The march was to head to Guildhall, but was redirected to New Derry Corner. When some youths ignored this and began pushing through the barriers rubber bullets and teargas was fired.
British troops were then warned of a sniper in the crowd and they began to open fire with live rounds. However, most of the people killed were in fact in groups that were fleeing the troops and no evidence of weapons was found on the protestors.
The Aftermath
The masscre encouraged people to join rebel groups and gave force to those who claimed that Ireland would only enoy peace if it was united. It also meant that many catholics who had previously looked to Britain for protection began to see them as the enemy.
So...
Sadly this was one of many massacres that have taken place in Ireland. Never-the-less, it was still significant because it was one of the few in that period that involved the British army being directly responsible for large numbers of deaths.
Next entry, Monday,
See you then,
Adam
