Civil rights movement 1968-69 - 17 November 1968

17 November 1968 - Civil rights campaign escalates

More than 150 delegates of the Nationalist Party met at Dungannon, Tyrone, on 17 November 1968. At the meeting, a pledge was taken for a "guerrilla campaign of non-violence", to be carried out by civil disobedience.

On the same day, there were further marches by various workers' groups within the walled area of Derry in defiance of the ban on marches and meetings in that section. John Hume condemned all sectarian acts and expressed a belief that there was no sectarian element in the civil rights movement.

"The whole mood of the community now is for disobedience"

Eddie McAteer, leader of the Nationalist Party, talks about the mood for civil disobedience in Derry and the new policy adopted by his party.

Protesters defy ban again in Derry

Workers from the Maydown Industrial Estate have their march to the city blocked at Ferryquay Gate by a police truck and sit down in protest. Dockers and other workers also take to the streets. John Hume addresses protesters from the back of a beer lorry. A crowd of over 2,000 march down Shipquay Street to a meeting on the quay.

"Sectarianism has not reared its head in the civil rights movement"

John Hume, vice-chairman of the Derry Citizens' Action Committee (DCAC), speaks to Pat Sweeney about sectarianism and the civil rights movement.