30 January, 1972

On this day the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association held a march in Derry to protest the treatment of Catholics in the North of Ireland. Many of the marchers were Irish Nationalists and many were simply wanting equal rights for all. The gerrymandering which occured for voting meant that Catholics in the North never had an equal voice with the Protestant population. Leading up to the protest on this day the british army sent in one of it's most seasoned group of soldiers, the 1st Parachute Regiment. They blockaded the path of the march, and set up firing positions along the route. Some of the NICRA organisers decided to re - route the march to avoid unpleasantness, and other than some stone throwing from some youths there was no precipitous action against the british soldiers. The IRA had also agreed not to inflame the situation.

After the organisers re - routed the march, the 1st Para opened fire on innocent, and unarmed, civilians. 14 people, young and old, were killed. At least another 14 were seriously wounded, many from gunfire. Despite millions of pounds in legal fees and multiple "official" inquiries, not one british soldier has ever been punished. The following day hundreds of youths lined up to join the IRA. The ruthlessness and lack of remorse from the british gov't escalated the already deadly situation and fanned the flames of what would become known as "The Troubles" for the men and women of the North of Ireland.

List of those killed, may they Rest In Peace

Patrick (Paddy) Doherty - 37

Gerald Donaghy - 17

John (Jackie) Duddy - 17

Hugh Gilmour - 17

Michael Kelly - 17

Michael McDaid - 20

Kevin McElhinney - 17

Bernard (Barney) McGuigan - 41

Gerald McKinney - 35

William (Willie) McKinney - 26

William Nash - 19

James (Jim) Wray - 22

John Young - 17

John Johnston - 59