Irish Freedom Committee
Chicago Cumann march in
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more photos on Flickr here - select "View as slideshow"
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The Chicago branch of the Irish Freedom Committee, Charlie Kerins Cumann, marched in the Downtown Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday March 17th, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. The Irish Freedom Committee contingent stood out from all other entries on the parade with its solemn message and activist stance. The marching unit fell in behind a full color IFC banner, a color party carrying flags of Ireland and the United States, and a stunning 1967 vintage black Cadillac bearing tri-colors on either side. Members of the cumann followed in two-by-two formation carrying large black and white photos of the victims slain by the British Army that day, behind a graphic banner reading "REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF BLOODY SUNDAY - CIVIL RIGHTS MARCHERS MURDERED BY BRITAIN, DERRY 1972". The banner also depicted silhouettes of young victims fleeing British army snipers crouching beneath a union jack. Response from the crowds of parade watchers was overwhelmingly positive with great interest in our message and many raised fists and shout-outs from the stands. Children marching with the cumann passed out over 600 educational fliers on the history of the events of Bloody Sunday, and others gave away small black badges reading "ENGLAND GET OUT OF IRELAND". The response from the parade's viewing stand was no less positive with the announcer reading our “Remember the Victims of Bloody Sunday” banner text aloud, calling attention to the massacre of Bloody Sunday; and then asking the audience to remember the 1981 Hunger Strikes, which we commemorated in last years’ march. To our satisfaction and he went further by reading aloud our banner stating “Restore Political Status to Irish Republican POWs”. The Charlie Kerins Cumann will host our next event on Sunday April 22, 2007; to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the 1916 Easter Uprising. For more info visit our Events page.. Irish Freedom Committee Bloody Sunday history Charlie Kerins cumann march in Forest Park St. Patrick's Day parade, Saturday March 3 2007 |
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