THE Derry branch of Saoradh has confirmed that it will supporting the Bloody Sunday march later this month.
Last year, it boycotted the annual rally in January 2018 over a reformist poster.
This was believed to have been a reference to the inclusion of the names of victims of republican violence on a promotional poster for last year’s events.
This year the Bloody Sunday March Committee’s focus for the commemorations is on the responsibility of the British establishment for the slaughter of 13 people who had marched against internment on January 30, 1972.
A 14th victim, John Johnston, died four months later.
In a statement, Saoradh Derry said: “After a collective grassroots discussion amongst the Saoradh membership in Derry, an overwhelming decision was taken to reaffirm the Party’s support for the Bloody Sunday March.
“The process of discussion took place following Saoradh’s decision to withdraw from the the Bloody Sunday March last year after the release of a reformist poster for the event.
“Bloody Sunday was originally an Anti-Internment Rally.
“There are currently a number of Irish Republican Political activists interned by the British State, the same British State responsible for the war crimes committed on Bloody Sunday.
“We now hope that the Bloody Sunday March will continue in its original form, giving a voice and an acknowledgement to Irish Republicans who find themselves interned and those who represent them.
“Saoradh’s position regarding the Bloody Sunday March is now a matter of public record.
“Our position has been outlined since our inception and we endeavour to support the March again this year in the absence of British interference or sentiment.
“As we go forward we retain the right to offer a critique and/or take action again in future should issues such as those that occurred in 2018 arise again.”
Saoradh’s re-involvement in the march follows a decision by the IRSP and the 32 County Sovereighty Committee to support this month’s rally.
During last month’s launch for the 2019 march, relatives and supporters of the victims unveiled a ‘Jail Jackson’ poster which referred to Chief of the General Staff of the British Army and now retired General Mike Jackson, who was second in command of the Parachute Regiment at the time of Bloody Sunday.
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