Since the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) had held power, being the dominate lawmaking body in Ireland. Supported by a largely Protestant unionist and loyalist community, the UUP passed many policies that discriminated against the Catholic and nationalist minority. “As time went on, Catholics and nationalists began to examine and retaliate against the issues they were faced with due to discrimination in hopes of gaining equality, and by 1964 the Campaign for Social Justice (CSJ) was formed.” (Everyday Life in the Troubles). Known as the forerunner of the civil rights movement, it began a campaign of publicizing the discrimination against Catholics and nationalists in various areas of everyday life. …show more content…
Prime Minister Terence O'Neill led The Ulster Unionist government in Northern Ireland and was hesitant in its approach to social reform which caused pressure on all sides. “The reforms that were made were thought to be too much by the unionist/loyalist community but too little by the nationalist/republican community.” (Civil Rights March in Derry…) Ultimately, both sides agreed on the opposition to O'Neill's regime. (36-38 Making Sense of the Troubles) On August 24th, 1968, the first Civil Rights march was held by NICRA, the CSJ, and various other groups. The march journeyed from Coalisland to Dungannon. In January of the year prior, the Civil Rights Movement had formed in Belfast, not long after the failure of the IRA’s Border Campaign that would lead to republicans seeking new ways to peacefully advance their cause. This movement emerged through inspiration from various marches and protests that were taking place throughout the world, the most prominent one being that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Black American Civil Rights movement he …show more content…
When demonstrators of Dr. King, Jr.’s movement arrived at the edge of Montgomery, by the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met with state troopers who proceeded to attack the marchers, transforming that Sunday into what would become known as “Bloody Sunday”. Similarly, demonstrators in Ireland had experienced their own “Bloody Sunday” on January 30th, 1972. Also known as the Bogside Massacre, this incident involved British soldiers shooting 28 unarmed civilians during a peace protest demonstration against internment, which was the act of imprisonment without charge or trial. “It is said that the spirit of Dr. King, Jr.’s legacy was very much alive that day” (Dr. King's Impact on The Fight for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland).
Monday September 2nd, NICRA announced that a march would be held on October 5th in Derry to protest the housing distribution in the city, unemployment, local government reform, and the right of free speech and assembly. However, the Apprentice Boys of Derry had also intended to hold a parade that same day, and along the same route as NICRA no less. “William Craig, Ulster Minister of Home Affairs, refused both groups permission to hold their demonstrations, but NICRA decided to carry on”. (The Civil Rights