Thousands pay respects 50 years after Bloody Sunday massacre

LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND - JANUARY 30:  Thousands of people gathered on Sunday morning in Londonderry, a northwestern city in Northern Ireland, to commemorate those who were killed by British soldiers 50 years ago on Bloody Sunday, Jan. 30. A procession saw family and friends of the 14 victims of the incident marching to the monument in Bogside, where the shootings had taken place, with photographs and flowers. The procession followed the route of the original civil rights march of Jan. 30, 1971 from Creggan shops to the Bogside. Fourteen children led the walk holding a rose each and wreaths were later laid by families at the Bloody Sunday monument as the marchers arrived there. The ceremony was attended by Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheal Martin, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill, who all laid wreaths for the victims. The ceremony continued with prayers and talks from the religious leaders and representatives of the local community. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, McDonald described the service as “moving.” “It's a very emotional day here in Derry and you can but be struck by the dignity and the resilience of the families and the whole community,” she said. Charlie Nash, brother of William Nash who was shot dead by British Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday, said the infamous incident’s details must be made public. “They have to come out and tell what happened and stop telling lies,” he said. A young marcher, who came up to Derry from the Irish Republic thinks it is important to learn about the Bloody Sunday because “it did change the entire island of Ireland.” “Families of the victims seek for justice and there’s no time limits on getting fairness,” said Fergus O’Dowd TD, chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. (Footage by Ahmet Gurhan Kartal/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)