Civil rights movement 1968-69 - 02 January 1969

02 January 1969 - Second Day of People's Democracy March from Belfast to Derry

On the second day of the People's Democracy march from Belfast to Derry, the marchers set out from Antrim Town for Maghera, Derry. However, the march was disrupted at several points by supporters of loyalist Major Ronald Bunting. At Randalstown, Antrim, loyalists lined the road just ouside the town, and police stopped the People's Democracy march on the Ballymena road. A car drove through the halted group of students, but fortunately no one was injured. Police stopped the car and questioned the driver. After a delay of over an hour, the marchers agreed to divert their route away from Randalstown in cars provided by local volunteers. They regrouped outside Toome, Antrim, and entered the town to great public support. After lunch the march continued, but was again diverted by a police order before reaching Gulladuff, Derry. Mobs opposed to the march and armed with sticks had been seen in Maghera throughout the day, so the marchers decided to bypass Maghera and spend the night in the nearby Brackaghreilly Hall.

That night there were disturbances in Maghera as young loyalists smashed shop windows and clashed with the police.

March stalled at Randalstown

There are scuffles at Randalstown, Antrim, where opponents of the People's Democracy march have gathered, led by Major Ronald Bunting. A car drives through the group of student protesters.

More clashes at Toome

There are more scuffles on the civil rights march route, this time at Toome, Antrim, after a flower-pot hits Major Ronald Bunting's car and its thrower is arrested.

Spokesman Defends March

Michael Farrell, spokesman for the People's Democracy march, defends the route they have taken and is critical of the protection they have received from the authorities. The previous night, a statue of United Irishman Roddy McCorley had been blown up in Toome by opponents of the march.