Revised Programme for Bloody Sunday Weekend 2004

(with updates on speakers confirmed and speakers cancelled!)

Thursday 29 January

•  Bookworm, Bishop Street, 1.00pm.
   The launch of “Crimes Without Punishment”, the 30th Anniversary Bloody Sunday Lecture by Robert Fisk. Robert Fisk looks back on Bloody Sunday and its aftermath as a journalist who directly witnessed what he describes as the ‘Bloody Sunday of Lebanon’, the massacre of 1700 Palestinian refugees in the camps of Sabra and Shatila, ten years after Bloody Sunday. ‘Crimes without Punishment’ compares and contrasts the peace processes in the North and the Middle East and examines the bias and wordplay with which mainstream journalism reports such war crimes. In particular it explores the circumstances and forces at play that have dictated that while a second inquiry into Bloody Sunday was won, many of the victims of the crimes of Sabra and Shatila continue to lay in unmarked graves. A Gaslight Production in association with the Bloody Sunday Trust.

•  Calgach Centre, Butcher Street, 8.00pm.
   From Opposition to Mainstream – the challenges facing Sinn Féin and the DUP.
   CANCELLED. See statement below from the Weekend Committee.

The Bloody Sunday Weekend Committee has been forced to announce the cancellation of the proposed “From Opposition to Mainstream” debate between Sinn Féin and the DUP. The BSWC had invited the DUP to provide a speaker for the event, and were told at the beginning of this month that Gregory Campbell would take part in the event. We were then informed on Friday 23 January that Gregory Campbell would be unable to take part. His reasons for withdrawing from the event were not given to the BSWC, who later learned of them from the local press.
The BSWC immediately contacted the DUP and were told that a replacement speaker would be provided. Despite numerous further attempts to contact the DUP we were unable to get confirmation of this.
The BSWC would like to express its disappointment at the cancellation of this event, and its surprise that the party which has spent the last two months trumpeting the fact that it is now the largest party in the north could not find a speaker for what we believe would have been the ideal opportunity for the DUP to outline their policies, and plans for the forthcoming talks, to a nationalist audience. Despite this, the BSWC hopes to reorganise this event in the near future.

•  Playhouse, Artillery Street, 7.00pm.
   Premier of Laurence McClenaghan's play, "The Long Auld Road", which focuses on the impact of Bloody Sunday on one family as they wait for family members to come home from the march. The play will also be performed on Friday and Saturday night.

Friday 30 January

•  Bloody Sunday Monument, Rossville Street, 4.15pm.
   A minute’s silence to mark the time 32 years ago when British paratroopers opened fire on the crowd in Rossville Street. Please join the families of the deceased for a moment of silent reflection. Please note that part of Rossville Street will be closed to traffic for the duration of this event.

•  St Mary's Church, Creggan, 7.30pm.
   The annual memorial mass for those killed on Bloody Sunday.

•  Calgach Centre, Butcher Street, 8.15pm.
   Bloody Sunday Memorial Lecture, to be given this year by former ‘Old’ Labour MP and veteran socialist Tony Benn. Admission by donation.

•  Bogside Inn, 10.00pm.
   Fundraising event for the Pat Finucane Centre. Alternative disco – Ska, Punk, Funk and Reggae.

Saturday 31 January.

•  Pilots Row, 12noon - 4.00pm.
   Film Screening: A series of short programmes, including the 1969 broadcast of Panorama focussing on the Battle of the Bogside.

•  Pilots Row, 2.00pm - 4.00pm.
   Update on the progress of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.

•  Gasyard Centre, 11.00am – 4.00pm.
   ‘The Impact of the Article 2 Judgement in the North’. Organised by The Pat Finucane Centre. This seminar will focus on the implications of the European Court of Human Rights Article 2 judgement of May 2001 in the case of Jordan, McKerr, Shanaghan, Kelly & others. The aim of the seminar is to provide a comprehensive update on the ongoing implications of the Article 2 judgement and will provide an opportunity for legal practitioners, NGOs and relatives to share information ideas and strategies. Advance registration only - limited spaces available. Registration now Closed

•  Calgach Centre, 7.30pm - 9.30pm.
   “The Truth about Truth Commissions.” Would a truth commission be a help or a hindrance to those bereaved or hurt by the conflict? Panel discussion organised by the Pat Finucane Centre.
  Panel: Arlene Foster, solicitor, Democratic Unionist Party; Danny Morrison, writer, former Sinn Fein Press Officer; Reatha Hassan, chairperson, Saver/Naver victims support group, Markethill; Mark Thompson, co-ordinator Relatives for Justice, Belfast; Brandon Hamber, Democratic Dialogue, Belfast, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, South Africa; Chair Paul Mc Fadden, BBC Radio Foyle.

•  Solas Arts Centre, Gt James St, 8.30pm.
    Beidh an dara Oíche cheoil agus siamsaíochta Tír Chonaill/Doire a chur i láthair in Ionad Ealaíne Solas, Mórshráid Shéamais, Dé Sathairn 31 Eanáir, ag tosnú ar a 8.30i.n. Beidh scaifte as Gaeltacht Thír Chonaill ag teacht go Doire do mhórshiúl chuimhneacháin Dhomhnach na Fola, idir Baill de Bhuíonta Cheoil Rann na Feirste agus Gaoth Dobhair agus ceoltóirí agus amhránaithe den scoith. Beidh Cór Cholmcille ag coinneáil cuideachta leo ar an ardán. Beidh táille de £5 ar an doras agus thig libh bhur gcuid dí féin a thabhairt isteach libh. Bígí linn!
  
   Once again as part of the Bloody Sunday Commemorative Weekend, singers and musicians from the Donegal Gaeltacht will join with friends from Derry, including Cór Cholmcille for a concert in Solas Arts Centre. Come along and enjoy a great evening’s entertainment. Doors open at 8.30 p.m. Admission £5.00, bring your own.

•  Gasyard Centre, 9.00pm - till late.
   Bloody Sunday Weekend fundraiser, with Cruncher O'Neill, Decky McLaughlin, The Shambelles and others. Admission £5.00, bring your own. Organised by the Gasyard Wall Féile.

Sunday 1 February

•  Bloody Sunday Monument, Rossville Street, 11.00am.
   Wreath laying service. Please join the families as they lay wreaths and offer prayers for those killed and injured.

•  Creggan Shops, 2.30pm.
   32nd Commemorative March and Rally. Speakers from Sinn Féin and the SDLP and a representative of the deceased and wounded. Soup and sandwiches will be available free in Sean Dolan's GAC, Creggan, before and after the march.

•  Sandinos after the march.
   Soup, sandwiches, music and craic. Revolutionary tax £2.00. All proceeds to the Bloody Sunday Weekend Committee.

A number of other events and exhibitions are planned for this year’s commemoration. Further details will be published in the local press.

Bloody Sunday