McNulty commends Newry Civil Rights March

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty has praised the organisers of the commemorative Civil Rights March held in Newry on Sunday. 

Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty said, “Sunday’s commemorative march was hugely symbolic and deeply personal for many who took part both 50 years ago and again on Sunday.

“50 years ago campaigners took to the streets of Newry and indeed other parts of the north to demand an end to discrimination in areas such as housing and employment.

“50 years ago the march through Newry was rerouted, however today many of those who took part then were able to finish the march route they started back then.

He continued, “The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association delivered a lot in such a short space of time. It brought about social, economic and political change in a peaceful and non-sectarian way. They shone a bright light on decades of discrimination and were inspired by the movement which swept across America led by Dr Martin Luther King.

“In this part of the wold, there are often attempts to re-write history from a modern perspective. This event, like many others across the north in recent months has been able to reclaim the narrative behind the Civil Rights movement. The stories have been told by those who were there at the time.

“My own parents were involved in the movement in the 1960’s and I grew up hearing first-hand accounts of the campaigns for basic human rights. It was great to hear many others like Tommy Keane, Dan Moore, Margo Collins, Rory McShane along with many others recount their own personal stories. 

“It was also fitting to hear tributes to many of their colleagues who are no longer with us but their efforts were fondly remembered.

The local MLA added, “I want to pay tribute to all those behind this week’s events. They hit the right tone, were commemorative and the events were very well organised. I want to sincerely congratulate them and thank them for their efforts.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jan 16 2019. Filed under Community, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry