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15 October 1998 Edition

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Back issue: 25,000 in Derry say: ``Brits out''

Again the common people have responded splendidly to the Sinn Féin appeal to come out in their thousands and commemorate the 1968 civil rights march but this time to demand national rights. For without national rights there can be no civil rights.

On the Coalisland-Dungannon march, also organised by Sinn Fein, the marchers outnumbered the 1968 marchers many times over and it happened again last Sunday in Derry. Experienced observers reckoned that, with the Guildhall Square packed to capacity and the crowd overflowing into side streets, there must have been at least 25,000 present.

The media, of course, kept that news from you. For the media resent bitterly the tremendous popular support shown for the liberation forces, the prisoners of war and Sinn Féin.

The cathaoirleach was Johnnie Johnston. Kevin Agnew, one of the leaders of the march 10 years ago and a Sinn Féin member, represented the original marchers on the platform.

Mrs Mary Nelis spoke for Derry Relatives Action Committee: she had a son two years ``on the blanket''.

The other speakers were: Andrías O Ceallacháin, Ardchomhairle, Sinn Féin; Eamon McCann, the author and journalist; and Michael Farrell, People's Democracy.

An Phoblacht 14 October 1978.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland