Civil rights movement 1968-69 - 30 November 1968

30 November 1968 - Civil rights march and Loyalist protest in Armagh

A civil rights march in Armagh was stopped by the RUC from proceeding on its intended route because of a loyalist counter-demonstration led by Ian Paisley and Ronald Bunting. There was considerable tension in the lead-up to the civil rights protest, with shopkeepers boarding up their premises for fear of violence. The loyalist protesters took over the city centre, many of them carrying sticks and cudgels. There were a number of clashes with the police, and loyalists asked for cameramen to stop recording, attacking BBC and ITN television crews. The RUC kept a "no man's land" between the two set of demonstrators, and halted the civil rights march.

Presented here is the demonstration in Armagh and reaction to it.

Shop-fronts boarded up on eve of demonstration

On the eve of the civil rights protest, the shop-fronts of Armagh are boarded up and the streets are quiet.

"It would be quite unsafe to allow you people to go any further"

Loyalist protesters and civil rights marchers gather in Armagh and are separated by an RUC cordon. An RUC inspector halts the civil rights march, advising that it would be unsafe for it to proceed. At either side of the RUC barrier, loyalist Ian Paisley and civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper address their respective supporters. Civil rights stewards keep some young protesters in check.

All quiet in Armagh after demonstration

Shopkeepers remove hoardings after the civil rights demonstration.

Cardinal thanks civil rights demonstrators

Cardinal Conway addresses the congregation of St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, and compliments them on their restraint during the civil rights demonstration.

Cabinet discusses demonstrations at Armagh

Ronnie Turner reports on cabinet reaction to the Armagh civil rights demonstration.

McAnerney blames Craig for march not taking place

John McAnerney, secretary of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA), talks to Ronnie Turner about the RUC's decision to stop their march in Armagh because of a simultaneous loyalist counter-demonstration.

"I haven't said that I am not in favour of one man, one vote"

In an interview for RTÉ, William Craig, Northern Ireland Minister of Home Affairs, talks about the demonstration in Armagh, the actions of the police, "one man, one vote" and calls for his resignation.

"... I can prove conclusively that this was not an unlawful assembly."

Ian Paisley outlines what he and his followers are trying to achieve and responds to the accusation that they gathered in an unlawful demonstration in Armagh.

"... the mere puppets of the fat-bellied bishops of Maynooth"

RTÉ Radio's "This Week" looks back at the calm interviews given to RTÉ Television by Ian Paisley and William Craig and compares them to the more rousing addresses each gave their own supporters that same week.