Thirteen innocent people were shot dead, murdered by British soldiers during a peaceful civil rights demonstration in Derry, in the North of Ireland 50 years ago today. The victims include the thirteen innocent people murdered by British soldiers, the families of those murdered, the friends of those murdered, the community of Derry, and people around the world who have all waited 50 years for justice. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s answer to all who suffered the tragic impact of Bloody Sunday for 50 years is to give amnesty to the murderers.
United against the amnesty plans of Johnson’s British government are the people of Ireland both north and south. All six parties in the North of Ireland, Unionist and Republican, Catholic and Protestant, object to the amnesty.
The British Government found the thirteen victims innocent. British Prime Minister David Cameron apologized for the murders.
“There is no doubt, there is nothing equivocal, there are no ambiguities. What happened on Bloody Sunday was both Unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong.
Some members of our armed forces acted wrongly. The government is ultimately responsible for the conduct of our armed forces and for that, on behalf of the government – and indeed our country – I am deeply sorry” – British Prime Minister David Cameron speaking before Parliament June 2010
Still, 50-years after these murders, the eighteen former paratroopers have never been charged. The attack on the victims of continues 50 years on.
What can we do today? The first step is contact your congressperson and have them sign the Bipartisan resolution to remember the Bloody Sunday Massacre.
Introduced by Chairman Bill Keating (MA-09), of the Europe, Energy, Environment & Cyber Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee and co-sponsored by AOH Brother, US Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) H.Res 888 calls for Justice for the victims, supports the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, opposes the British Governments attempt to implement amnesty from prosecutions of the crimes committed during the troubles. The text of the resolution may be read HERE.
Contact your US representative immediately and have them sign on to this critical bipartisan resolution included below. Direction on how to contact your congressional representative and a sample dialog may be found HERE.
hank you for your support on the too many Legacy Justice Issues in the North of Ireland.
Prayers for all those lost in the struggle for peace and equality.
God bless,
Daniel J O’Connell, President The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America
Current Resolution Sponsors:
Image of Bloody Sunday Mural © Copyright Suzanne Mischyshyn, licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence