Ballymurphy Massacre Families

Posted by Jim on December 15, 2014

John Teggart:

This has been a busy week for the families meetings with the
SDLP, SF and the justice minister and irish foreign affairs department
expressing our concern that inquests are under threat in the talks about
dealing with the past. We also protested outside Stormont house
yesterday where parties were holding talks on dealing with the past.
Families were demanding that inquests are not affected in money saving
measures and that all inquests are fully resourced and that they should be
funded by the British government outside the block grant. We are in
London today along with other campaign groups on international human
rights day to show the British government and British people that we have
rights too and that the British government needs to accept responsibility
for their actions and implement mechanisms for dealing with the past.

Families take ‘Footsteps’ campaign to London (opposite Downing St between 12 noon and 3pm)

Families who demand answers from the British government will take their
‘In Their Footsteps’ shoe campaign to Westminster to mark International
Human Rights Day this Wednesday 10th December.  The poignant ‘sea of shoes’ exhibition with over 150 pairs of shoes will
be displayed opposite Downing St between 12 noon and 3pm and highlights
the many lost and ruined lives due to the conflict. This is part of a bold
new campaign for truth, initiated by many bereaved families and those
injured during the conflict.

This latest Day of Action will see relatives and campaigners travel to the
heart of the London where they will collectively call upon the British
government to ‘Set the Truth Free’ about historic cases here. Campaigners
will also have an audience with MPs in the House of Commons at 5 pm.

The hugely emotional exhibition has shocked and moved audiences since its
inception earlier this year, drawing huge numbers to Days of Action in
Derry, Belfast and Dublin.

Families from all over Ireland have already thrown their weight behind it,
and are calling on other bereaved families to add to the ever-growing
collection of shoes as the campaign gathers momentum.

All the different groups, organisations and individual families who have
all donated shoes ask only for one thing – for the truth to be set free.
Campaigner Robert McClenaghan urged the public to get behind the campaign.

“Over 3,600 people were killed as a result of conflict here, and over
40,000 were seriously injured – and this initiative is open to every
single one of these families, no matter who they are if they agree that
effective independent mechanisms should be put in place. It’s a very
potent, very visual reminder of all we have lost and it gives ordinary
people an insight.

“We’re taking this campaign to London for International Human Rights Day
where we will let them know that London cannot wash its hands of
responsibility and must fund this part of the peace process in order for
people here to move on. This is one of the key issues we will be
highlighting during our Day of Action in Westminster.”

To get involved, show support or contribute shoes to this important
initiative, please contact:

The Pat Finucane Centre on 02871 268846 / Paul O’Connor 07989 323418 / Email info@patfinucanecentre.org;
Ciaran Mac Airt from the Mc Gurks Bar families on 077430 339633; or
John Teggert from the Ballymurphy Massacre campaign 07860 382930/ 07512166867.