Post by dangeresque on Feb 3, 2009 22:38:44 GMT
Press Release: Kansas City Bloody Sunday Commemoration Report
On Friday 30th of January 2009, over forty people joined the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, Americans for a United Ireland, Irish Northern Aid and the Irish Museum and Cultural Center (IMCC) in commemorating the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972.
The Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972, in which 14 unarmed peaceful marchers were murdered by the British Army is widely accepted as a turning point- the end of the Civil Rights struggle and the beginning of a war for national liberation. The packed IMCC played host to the well known and respected historian and speaker Matt Morrisson, celebrated local balladier Rob Gavin and a film showing.
Matt Morrisson survived Bloody Sunday and witnessed the massacre. Morrisson is also a former Prisoner of War and an activist for Irish immigrants. Matt spoke at length about his experiences on the day of the march and the brutal attack carried out that day by the British Paras. He described the Derry of the time as being like a small community, where most knew each other. This made the impact of the massacre that much greater. Matt recounted the victims of the unprovoked British attack that he personally knew, including a neighbor who lived only three doors down. Matt described seeing the first people falling down, and not realizing immediately that they had been shot; understandably it seemed as though they were tripping. He recounted how it was a few moments before the terrible truth became clear. Matt explained that the terrible murders ended any hope of Stormont being peacefully reformed. Matt's oration powerfully invoked the events, feeling, and details of the day, and many audience members were moved to tears.
His testimony was important for remembrance, and also a welcome contribution in re-affirming the important facts of the case. The Troubles was not a religious war, nor a conflict over cultural identity, as is commonly argued. It was a struggle for self determination and political and social rights. The struggle was not from a sectarian motive: the reforms and changes struggled, fought and sacrificed for would have benefited Protestant working class people as well.
Matt was not there to discuss only the past: he stressed how important it was to stand up and fight for democratic and constitutional rights. Morrisson described to the rapt audience what a positive thing the existence of an Irish Museum and Cultural Center was; that the oppressed should remember their past and their achievements. We are deeply in Matt's debt for travelling from out of town to join us and share his experiences with the Irish community in Kansas City, so that they may never be forgotten.
The Organizing Committee for the Commemoration would like to thank everyone who came, and especially the IMCC and its volunteers for doing so much to promote the event. We greatly appreciate the aid of the KC AOH Pearse Division in promoting the commemoration on the Celtic Crossings Radio Show. Our gratitude is also extended to Rob Gavin, who played a wonderful set of traditional ballad tunes. The commemoration was also important in bringing in funds to the IMCC who need (and deserve!) the support of the Irish in Kansas City.
Irish Museum and Cultural Center
www.irishmuseum.org
30 W Pershing Rd # 700
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 474-3848
IRSCNA
PO Box 901479
Kansas City, Missouri
64190
www.irscna.org
Americans for a United Ireland
americansforaunitedireland@yahoo.com
find us on facebook!
Irish Northern Aid
www.kcina.com/
Celtic Crossings Radio Show
celticcrossingsshow1.mypodcast.com/
Event Program:
the speaker, Matt Morrisson:
singer Rob Gavin:
On Friday 30th of January 2009, over forty people joined the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, Americans for a United Ireland, Irish Northern Aid and the Irish Museum and Cultural Center (IMCC) in commemorating the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972.
The Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972, in which 14 unarmed peaceful marchers were murdered by the British Army is widely accepted as a turning point- the end of the Civil Rights struggle and the beginning of a war for national liberation. The packed IMCC played host to the well known and respected historian and speaker Matt Morrisson, celebrated local balladier Rob Gavin and a film showing.
Matt Morrisson survived Bloody Sunday and witnessed the massacre. Morrisson is also a former Prisoner of War and an activist for Irish immigrants. Matt spoke at length about his experiences on the day of the march and the brutal attack carried out that day by the British Paras. He described the Derry of the time as being like a small community, where most knew each other. This made the impact of the massacre that much greater. Matt recounted the victims of the unprovoked British attack that he personally knew, including a neighbor who lived only three doors down. Matt described seeing the first people falling down, and not realizing immediately that they had been shot; understandably it seemed as though they were tripping. He recounted how it was a few moments before the terrible truth became clear. Matt explained that the terrible murders ended any hope of Stormont being peacefully reformed. Matt's oration powerfully invoked the events, feeling, and details of the day, and many audience members were moved to tears.
His testimony was important for remembrance, and also a welcome contribution in re-affirming the important facts of the case. The Troubles was not a religious war, nor a conflict over cultural identity, as is commonly argued. It was a struggle for self determination and political and social rights. The struggle was not from a sectarian motive: the reforms and changes struggled, fought and sacrificed for would have benefited Protestant working class people as well.
Matt was not there to discuss only the past: he stressed how important it was to stand up and fight for democratic and constitutional rights. Morrisson described to the rapt audience what a positive thing the existence of an Irish Museum and Cultural Center was; that the oppressed should remember their past and their achievements. We are deeply in Matt's debt for travelling from out of town to join us and share his experiences with the Irish community in Kansas City, so that they may never be forgotten.
The Organizing Committee for the Commemoration would like to thank everyone who came, and especially the IMCC and its volunteers for doing so much to promote the event. We greatly appreciate the aid of the KC AOH Pearse Division in promoting the commemoration on the Celtic Crossings Radio Show. Our gratitude is also extended to Rob Gavin, who played a wonderful set of traditional ballad tunes. The commemoration was also important in bringing in funds to the IMCC who need (and deserve!) the support of the Irish in Kansas City.
Irish Museum and Cultural Center
www.irishmuseum.org
30 W Pershing Rd # 700
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 474-3848
IRSCNA
PO Box 901479
Kansas City, Missouri
64190
www.irscna.org
Americans for a United Ireland
americansforaunitedireland@yahoo.com
find us on facebook!
Irish Northern Aid
www.kcina.com/
Celtic Crossings Radio Show
celticcrossingsshow1.mypodcast.com/
Event Program:
the speaker, Matt Morrisson:
singer Rob Gavin:
