The “Volunteers Commemoration” parade making its way into Derry City Cemetery.
Several thousand people have attended the annual “Volunteers Commemoration” held in Derry this afternoon to remember the city’s republican dead.
Following a parade from Central Drive in Creggan to the republican plot in the City Cemetery, main speaker, Dublin Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan urged republicans to reach out to unionists to reassure them they had nothing to fear from a united Ireland.
Sinn Fein Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan speaking at the republican plot in Derry City Cemetery.
The parade – which included the local Freedom of Spirit and Scotland’s Plains Remembers (Derry Brigade) flute bands – was fronted by over 100 women dressed in white shirts and black ties to mark the 100th anniversary of the formation of Cumann na mBan.
Among those in attendance were Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Sinn Fein’s MEP in the North, Martina Anderson.
Following the laying of wreaths at the republican monument, Ms Boylan told those present half a million people on the island of Ireland had put their faith in Sinn Fein and “we must never lose sight of our goal.”
She added: “It is up to us now to reach out to communities, to reach out to unionism to reassure them that those from that tradition that a new Ireland will be just that – a new Ireland – an Ireland where all citizens are comfortable and can express their identity.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with Peter Anderson (centre) and Dominic Doherty.
“We have to reach out to those who fear change.
“Derry city knows all too well the legacy of unionist misrule but you now have to help the unionist community to understand what we stand for so that they will fear less.
“The electoral gains for Sinn Fein – which has put us as the largest party in Derry city, Belfast city and Dublin city – must now be used to help those who fear republican politics to understand that there is nothing to fear from equality.
“As republican activists we understand the importance of communities and community development.
The parade making its way into Derry City Cemetery.
“We must continue to work with our communities at grassroot level to ensure that racism and sectarianism must not be allowed to take hold.
“There is no place in republicanism for sexism, racism, setacarianism or homophobia.
“Republicanism is about cherishing all of the children equally and our fallen comrades, who we remember today, did not give their lives for an Ireland where there are those of us who are equal and those who are little more equal.
Sinn Fein MEPs Martina Anderson (extreme left) and Lynn Boylan (extreme right) taking part in the parade to Derry City Cemetery.
“Events like today are very important in that they not only allow give us the space to remember our fallen comrades but allow us to reflect on the ideals for which they gave their lives.
“It gives us an opportunity to remind us that there is no such thing as passive republicanism.
“Everyone of us has our own parituclar part to play. And those we remember today led by example.
Wreaths being laid at the republican plot in Derry City Cemetery.
“They lit the flame that burns within our hearts and it is to those men and women that we turn to for inspiration to keep us focussed on our objectives.”
Ms Boylan concluded: “A different Ireland is possible, a united Ireland is possible, a united equal Ireland is definitely possible – so let us leave here today committed to carrying on their struggle so your children and your grandchildren can bear the fruits of your lost loved ones’ sacrifice.”
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