London also tried to pin the blame for the massacre on the Irish freedom fighters, who remain steadfast in their struggle for a united, democratic Ireland. London hoped this murderous assault would help break the resistance of the Irish Catholic population of Northern Ireland, whose land has now been occupied by thousands of British soldiers for more than 30 years.

Being subjected to British rule and the tyranny of the pro-British loyalist forces, the Catholic population in Northern Ireland has been ghettoized, kept in a caste-like oppression, and subjected to martial-law repression. They suffer discrimination in all aspects of social and political life.

The rulers in the United Kingdom, however, underestimated in their calculations the determined resistance of Irish working people. The recent march of thousands of people in Derry is a measure of the continued resistance of the Republican movement, which also includes new generations of activists joining the struggle.

The Catholic population refuses get down on their knees or give up their demands for the truth to be told about Bloody Sunday and for an end to the British military occupation of the six counties of Northern Ireland.

Due to their failure to crush the struggle, combined with the weakening of the United Kingdom as a world imperialist power, London has been forced to recognize Sinn Fein, release scores of Irish Republicans from prison, and embark on a series of reforms aimed at keeping the six counties as part of the United Kingdom. At the same time, the reactionary Ulster Unionist bloc--upon which British rule over Northern Ireland has rested for decades--is disintegrating.

All defenders of democratic rights should extend a hand of solidarity to the Irish freedom struggle. Their determination to win justice for those murdered in the Bloody Sunday massacre deserves support from workers and farmers in every country.

Events can be organized to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hunger strikes by Irish freedom fighters locked in British jails in which 10 hunger strikers died demanding political status from the UK government. Working people around the world should join with Irish freedom fighters in their demands for a united, democratic Ireland and for British troops to get out of the country. London should respect the sovereignty and independence of the Irish people. The UK government should also come clean about the events of Jan. 30, 1972.
 
 
Related article:
'Bloody Sunday' action in Derry demands truth  
 
 
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