WHO FEARS TO SPEAK OF '68? -- Stormont Watch

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Date Posted: Sun, Mar 02 2008, 16:37:54 PST
Author: DERRY NEWS
Subject: WHO FEARS TO SPEAK OF '68?

Derry News, February 21, 2008 Report by Ciaran O�Neill

Remembering 1968

A special reunion is being organised in Derry to mark the 40th anniversary of the civil rights movement.

The reunion is one of a number of events being organised by a committee set up to commemorate the landmark anniversary of the civil rights movement throughout the North.

No date has yet been set for the reunion but the organisers are keen to hear from anyone who was involved in the early days of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association.

Fionnbarra O�Dochartaigh, treasurer of the anniversary committee and a co-founder of NICRA in 1967, urged people, across the Six Counties, to come forward.

�The planned reunion is highly desirable as we are conscious that we have not been able to reach all those who were involved in the leadership of the Civil Rights movement in 1968 at a central or local level.

�We would appeal to anyone whom we have not been able to contact and who is interested in attending this reunion to contact us.�

Mr. O�Dochartaigh stressed that the reunion was not just for prominent figures of the civil rights era.

�It is aimed also at those many grass-roots� people such as the Dockers who downed tools, the shirt factory �girls� who left their respective workplaces to defy the ban imposed on marches inside Derry Walls, former residents of Springtown Camp and the homeless families who occupied Derry Guildhall, and many more besides.

�Our invitation is also being extended to those who took part in the 1968 October 5th march and those who made up the mass demonstration in mid-November, the various sit-downs and other protests which took the civil rights struggle into the living rooms of countless millions across the globe�.

�This planned reunion is already attracting a great deal of interest particularly as many involved in those days have not met for many years, and wish to renew old acquaintances.

�Interest is also being expressed by younger generations, as well as several community-based groups.

�It certainly could turn out to be a truly historic get-together and an occasion to remember, for us �oldies�, our families, and friends and of equal import, youthful supporters, mindful and appreciative of the principled stand taken and sacrifices made, also for them, by their parents� and grandparents� generations.�

Anyone who wants further information about the anniversary reunion can contact the local organisers, after 6pm any evening, on 71-286359 or by e-mailing rights.civil@googlemail.com

N.B.

Footnote: A commemorative comittee was recently established in London headed by such figures as former Labour MP, Mr. Kevin McNamara. Details on request.

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