There’s going to be some opposition to the rally.
Campaigners are planning a rally in Derry to protest against Thursday’s decision to prosecute over Bloody Sunday.
Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans are said to be planning a rally holding a protest in the city over the Public Prosecution Service’s (PPS) decision to charge one former British soldier with the murder of civilians on Bloody Sunday in Derry in January 1972.
Alan Barry, founder of the group, told the Belfast Telegraph that he wants former soldiers to march through the streets in protest at the decision.
“We are not happy,” he said. “One paratrooper prosecuted is one paratrooper too many. It should have been none.
“We are putting out a call to as many veterans who served in Northern Ireland and want to travel over and descend on Londonderry and march through the streets.
“We will show people that we will not tolerate one of ours being prosecuted when 300 convicted killers were released from jail and 150 ‘on the run’ letters were handed out to those who weren’t apprehended.”
Following the announcement that former British soldiers are to travel to Derry to protest, republican group Saoradh announced that they will oppose any march by the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans.
“Saoradh wish to make it abundantly clear that we will provide an opportunity for Republicans to radically confront this potential grotesque gathering in the city,” the group said in a statement.
“We refuse to allow such a display of support for imperialism, occupation, colonialism and slaughter to go unchallenged.
“Saoradh hereby publicly state that we will mobilise the people of Derry and beyond to ensure that these former Crown Force members are denied access to the streets of our city.”
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