#bloody-sunday

#bloody-sunday

What happened on 'Bloody Sunday?' Unarmed protesters calling for an end to anti-Catholic policies were attacked by British soldiers, who killed 13 and injured at least 15 others on the streets of Derry on January 30, 1972. The protest was part of a violent conflict between mostly Catholic supporters of a united Ireland and predominantly Protestant groups that wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom, as well as British soldiers stated in Northern Ireland, a period of time know as the Troubles.

A Sunday in January 1972 marked one of the blackest days of the Troubles. On the penultimate day of the month, thousands of civil rights demonstrators took to the streets of Derry. The protest had been banned by the Stormont government and there was a heavy presence of soldiers and ­police officers. After skirmishes between ­local youths and the British army - soldiers moved in to make arrests. Shortly ­afterwards, members of the Parachute Regiment began to open fire.