Cycling for Bubaque 2019: 'Bloody Sunday' in Derry

The history lesson and many facts I was presented with today are too much to recount here.

Still, some striking data: The walled old town became early 17th century built by British Protestant settlers on a marshy area next to the river Foyle. The native Irish Catholics were not allowed to settle within the walls, they had to settle for the 'bogs' (swamps) around them. Hence the name 'bogside' for the neighbourhoods where the riots took place.

Die systematic discrimination of the, with the flight to the cities since the 19th century, Catholic majority (inadequate housing, voting rights only for homeowners in rigged constituencies - jerrymandering - and job discrimination) was carried through until the 20th century and eventually led to the civil rights struggle in late 1960s, inspired by the actions of Martin Luther King in the US.

Great Britain always sided with the Unionists and spread an untrue story about the killings of - according to GB armed - civilians, but in reality innocent human rights demonstrators, to keep the paratroopers and their military leadership out of the wind.

The committee of victims' families - including our guide John - campaigned for years to bring out the true facts and succeeded. After a second study that lasted 12 years, gave the then British Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010 that all the victims were innocent and apologised for facts that should never have happened.

However: only a British officer and a soldier (soldier F) are called to account. The role of the political and military elite remained/remains underexposed. The committee of relatives continues to litigate further on this issue.
Soldier F killed four protesters, including the brother of our guide John. The trial starts in August and will last at least two years. John is looking forward to it and is currently living in great suspense about the course and final verdict.