Civil rights movement 1968-69 - 05 October 1968

05 October 1968 - Civil Rights March, Derry

This was the crucial event in the civil rights movement: a planned parade in Derry to protest at the allocation of houses, jobs and the limited fanchise in local government elections. The protest was planned by the Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) with the support of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA). When the march was announced, the Apprentice Boys, a Protestant organisation, declared that they would hold a parade on the same day.

On 03 October 1968, the Stormont government banned all parades. The following day, all of the organisations behind the civil rights protest met and decided to go ahead with their parade. When the RUC blocked the intended route of the march and baton-charged the crowd, the television cameras were there and the images were shown around the world. The civil rights march in Derry on 05 October 1968 is often cited as the start of "the Troubles".

"Policemen to the front of us, policemen to the back of us ... no way out"

In 1972, RTÉ Radio looked back at the Derry march. In this clip, presenter Kevin O'Kelly gives the background to the march and Austin Currie recalls the march itself and the reaction of the RUC.

"For the sake of our city and the future"

Pat Sweeney reports on the situation in Derry prior to the civil rights rally. Brendan Hynes, chairman of the local Labour Party branch, outlines the intentions of the demonstrations.

Derry Civil Rights Demonstration

This clip captures the protest in full swing. Inspector William Meharg informs the protesters that they cannot enter a restricted area. Ivan Cooper hopes that the marchers will act in a responsible manner and outlines why they are marching. Led by Gerry Fitt and Eddie McAteer, they proceed along the prohibited route. McAteer, Currie and others get through the police cordon. In Duke Street, protesters remonstrate with police and Pat Douglas is hit by a police officer. The RUC force the crowd back with indiscriminate use of batons.

Riot scenes at Derry demonstration

Here is a high angle view of the mêlée in Duke Street, showing demonstrators caught between two lines of police.

Riots in Derry after civil rights demonstration

Pat Sweeney reports on scenes in Derry after the trouble at the civil rights march sparked rioting.

Derry quiet after riots

48 hours of rioting followed the disturbances at the civil rights march. Pat Sweeney reports from Derry city, which is now quiet again.

"The civil rights marchers ... in Londonderry were extremely violent ..."

RTÉ's John O'Donoghue interviews William Craig, Northern Ireland Minister of Home Affairs, in the aftermath of the civil rights march in Derry. Craig outlines his views on these events.