jan 30, 1972 - Bloody Sunday

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On January 30th, 1972, a group of citizens in Derry, Northern Ireland conducted a march to protest against new legislation that allowed for internment without trial. The 1st Battallion Parachute Regiment was ordered to travel to Derry and halt the march. After the army set up blockades, forcing the march to alter its course, some protestors began throwing stones at paratroopers hiding in a building. These paratroopers retaliated by opening fire, killing two protestors immediately. From there on, the army advanced, beating and detaining multiple protestors, striking them with vehicles, and shooting them. By the end of the day, the army had killed 14 protestors, most of which were under the age of 25. These events led to a massive general strike by the Irish population, forcing the British government to establish a tribunal. This tribunal, led by Lord Widgery, was notoriously fraudulent and upheld the army’s claims that they were acting in self-defense. A later tribunal, established in 1998, overturned Widgery’s findings and instead asserted that the army’s actions were unwarranted.

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