Images of graffiti from the loyalist west bank. Two from Hawkin Street, including an incursion by republicans (“IRA”); one from Upper Bennett Street mocking the deaths on Bloody Sunday – “Para[s] 13, Provos 0”; and two from Bishop Street, Londonderry – “Kill All Taigs”, “W[est] B[ank] L[oyalists] – F[uck] T[he] P[rovos]”.
“This Sculpture is about unlocking freedom, a community that does not know outward social freedom can still know inward personal freedom. The key to freedom is formed within the heart, each individual has an unseen key that can help a community unlock the knowledge of itself. The Apprentice Angel is a bringer of freedom, he is patterned with keys collected within The Fountain Estate by young people from The Cathedral Youth Club. The Angel holds a large recast key from the Siege of Derry 1689, a key in the hand of an Apprentice that helped turn history, the Past is always present but the Future is key to us all, we alone have the power to unlock it and the right to experience it. Within a community it is young hearts that beat loudest, it is their future that we must help unlock with the keys of Freedom. This was a Cathedral Youth Club project funded by Arts Council Re-Imaging Communities. Sculptor – Ross Wilson.”
Two memorial plaques are added to Cromore Drive in Creggan, not far from the 2nd battalion memorial garden: Joe Walker was shot by the British Army in 1973 (Derry Daily); Paddy Deery and Eddie McSheffrey were killed while transporting a bomb in 1987 (Derry Journal).
An Feachtas Um Cheartas Dhomhnach Na Fola/The Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign was founded in 1992 to press for a repudiation of the original (Widgery) Bloody Sunday inquiry and the reopening of the case (Museum Of Free Derry). That second (a.k.a. Saville) inquiry published its findings in June 2010, concluding that those killed and injured were innocent protesters, which led then-UK Prime Minister David Cameron to say that the deaths were “unjustified and unjustifiable” (Museum Of Free Derry).
A march in search of justice for the Bloody Sunday victims has been held annually since 1973, taking the same route as in 1972 from from Creggan shops to Free Derry Corner; the annual march has continued.
“Richard Mussen joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (27th foot) at the age of 15. At the outbreak of the Zulu wars he volunteered for active service and was transferred to the Second Battalion The South Wales Borderers (24th foot). At the outbreak of the Great War he joined the 9th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles and with him went his 4 sons and 2 sons-in-law. His son Richard (junior) was killed at the Somme on Thursday 21st March, 1918 and is remembered at Pozieres Memorial. Richard Mussen was buried from 22 Dundee Street [which was just above Agnes Street] on 29/12/1936 and was accorded full Military Honours. He was laid to rest in Belfast City Cemetery.”
Here is a short NVTv documentary about Mussen, including (at 12m25s) the image on which the mural shown here is based. The mural was done with spray paint by artist Sam Bates a.k.a. SMUG. It was officially unveiled on June 24th, 2011 but painted much earlier.
“Give your child a special gift this year – the gift of bilingualism. Naíscoıl & Gaelscoıl Éadaın Mhóır. Saroıdeachas ı gcroílár an phobaıl. Quality education in the heart of the community.” On the rear of Free Derry Corner.