Where you in the Bogside during 1969 and specifically during the period from the 11th to the 15th August 1969? Were you one of the tumultuous crowds who came onto the streets to defend the Nationalists areas of the City from the RUC and B Specials?
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of what became known as ‘The Battle of the Bogside’, when the Republican and Nationalist community declared independence from the Orange State and in doing so collectively changed forever the social and political
history history of the city.
The events during that three day period catapulted Derry onto the world stage as an entire community, young and old, male and female, rose in popular rebellion against Britain’s apartheid state and Free Derry became an icon for the political and military struggles of the years that followed.
The world's media defined the area of revolt and the population within an area from Hamilton Street in the Brandywell to the Moor and William Street woke up one morning to discover that they were now living in the Bogside.The citadel of the Rossville Flats became the focus for the youth whose message was 'no pasaran' to the RUC.
The Battle of the Bogside inspired a generation of people to get off their knees and take on a system that had denied them equal rights as citizens for most of their lives. The courage of that generation should never be forgotten.
Three days of attacks by the RUC using bullets, water cannon, CS gas and rubber bullets could not deter or defeat a community united in a common purpose,
The Battle of the Bogside is unique in the history of civil disturbances, not just in terms of the humiliating defeat of the law and order forces of the Orange State but that the courage of a people determined to bring about change has inspired communities all over the world in their struggle for justice freedom and peace.
Many aspects of that time still need investigation, most specifically the excessive use of CS gas.
The Gasyard Feile Committee are hosting a number of events to commemorate this important period in our history. These will include a pictorial and print exhibition of media coverage during the time leading up to and after the loyal order March.
The Committee are appealing for help from the public by way of photographs, artifacts, written material and other items associated with the Battle. Any material loaned will be secured and returned to their owners when the exhibition concludes.
The exhibition will open in Pilots Row, located in one of the most intense areas of fighting, on Thursday the 30th July until Saturday the 1st August.
Anyone wishing to loan items or help with the exhibition should contact Jim at 07786746506 or Mary Nelis at 07513420014 or by e mail at mary.nelis@hotmail .com
All contributions will be acknowledged.
The full article contains 515 words and appears in Journal Tuesday newspaper.
