“Change the dynamics of local politics – vote republican! vote for change! Vótáıl Garry Donnelly #1 Derry City Council elections 2011” Donnelly ran as an independent republican; he was unsuccessful in 2011 but elected in 2014 (WP). The board appears below a 32CSM board in Westland St, Derry.
Sinn Féin electoral ads from Derry and Omagh ahead of the 2011 Assembly elections:
First, a paint-bombed hoarding at the top of Abercorn Road, Derry. Second, the words of Bobby Sands are invoked in Gobnascale (Strabane Old Rd) – May 5th is also the date of Sands’s death in 1981. Third, “Ceannasaíocht ar fud na hÉıreann” from West Tyrone Sinn Féin in James Street, Omagh.
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.
(Rísteard Ó Cíonga/Richard J King design)(on the tree in Hedge Row School)(below Irish dancers)
Cultúrlann McAdam – Ó Fıaıch was renovated in 2010-2011 at a cost of 1.9 million pounds, with the addition of the Dillon Gallery. It would be reopened on September 19th by President Mary McAleese (WP). The images here show the construction hoardings from left (Nansen St) to front (Falls Road) to right (Fallswater St).
“The Mass Graves Of Ireland – with over 1,500,000 deaths sorry is not enough. It is time for the British government and its war machine to leave Ireland and its people in peace.” “This mural is dedicated to the men, women and children who died of starvation during the Great Hunger [An Gorta Mór]. To call this period in Irish history [1845-1852] a famine dishonors the pain and untold suffering our ancestors endured. British warships took the food of our land for profit while our people starved. It was genocide. With this truth told, may they rest in peace.” “Escorting food shipments thru Royal Canal and Grand Canals to Dublin for export to England 17th, 32nd, 45th, 66th, 13th dragoons (whence the term goons).” “During the genocide of 1845 to 1852 the British government seized from Ireland’s producers tens of million of head of livestock, tens of millions of tons of flour, grain meat, poultry and dairy products enough food to sustain 18 million people. 200,000 British troops (100,000 at any given time) and 12,000 RIC removed Ireland’s food at gunpoint.”
“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.
“Arm Saoırse Náısıúnta na h-Éıreann. [INLA] Vol. James McPhilemy, killed in action 10 August 1988; [INLA] Vol. Alex Patterson killed in action 12 November 1990. ‘Your spirit will live on in the hearts of all who cherish freedom, justice and equality. Fuaır sıad bás ar son saoırse na h-Éıreann.”
“‘Many suffer so that some day future generations may live in justice and peace’ – Bobby Sands”, “This plaque is dedicated to the memory of all those from this area who played their part in the struggle for Irish freedom.” With a roll of honour and plaques featuring Joe Cunningham, Martin McKenna, Bobby Sands, Samuel Hughes, Charles McCrystal, Jackie McErlean – the latter three were killed together by a premature bomb explosion.
The birthplace of Francis Hughes, IRA volunteer, the RUC’s most wanted man, and second hunger striker to die in 1981, is commemorated on Scribe Road (perhaps from “scríob” (for “furrow”), Bellaghy. “From the people of south Derry.”
[The people of Derry remember the hunger strikers] Scenes from the rally for the 2010 National Hunger Strike Commemoration, August 15th, 2010, in Hunters Park, Bellaghy. The left-hand painting is signed by a Short Strand artist and Marty Lyons; the right-hand painting is of the capture of native son Francis Hughes.