Civil rights movement 1968-69 - 24 august 1968

24 August 1968 - First Civil Rights March

Following on from events at Caledon, two thousand people marched in Tyrone from Coalisland to Dungannon in a protest for civil rights. Among the groups who organised the march were the Campaign for Social Justice and the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA). Loyalists organised a counter-demonstration in Dungannon. The RUC ordered a ban on the civil rights protesters entering and holding a meeting at the Market Square. The meeting was eventually held in Thomas Street while police separated both sets of protesters.

Civil rights march from Coalisland to Dungannon

Civil rights demonstrators arrive in Dungannon, where Gary Lennon is served with a notice from the RUC not to enter the Market Square.

Organising the first civil rights march

RTÉ Radio's "World This Week" looks back at the beginnings of the campaign for change in Northern Ireland. Presenter Kevin O'Kelly states the original aims of NICRA. Austin Currie recalls the use of civil disobedience to highlight discrimination. In July 1968, these new methods of protest prompted a statement from Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill.