Derry’s Day of Action
Socialist Republic1982Loyalism and unionismLabour, the left and left unityBritish troops and the occupationLoyalism and unionismLabour, the left and left unityBritish troops and the occupation
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Paisley’s Day of Action on November 23 had a greater significance for the nationalist community than its expression of Loyalist venom, of which we have always been aware.
Not enough attention has been given to the RUC’s active collaboration with the Third Force — another demonstration of the fact that they are a legalised loyalist militia. The split in the Police Federation (see elsewhere in this issue) is an obvious indication of the RUC’s sectarian role and permanent inability to offer protection to the nationalist community.
DRUMAHOE AND DERRY INCIDENTS At Drumahoe on the outskirts of the predominantly loyalist Waterside, several vehicles were hijacked by men, some of whom were dressed in complete paramilitary uniform. Much to the dismay of some catholic families in the area, and also to the workers of Desmond’s factory (who were hemmed in by the loyalists), the RUC stood less than forty yards away and failed to take take any action while a lorry driver was being forcibly removed from his cab.
Likewise on Derry bridge, absolutely no protection was given to workers returning by bus or car from the Maydown industrial estate. Direct attacks were made by stone-throwing mobs on workers’ buses, and attempts were made to overturn them with the occupants still inside. An eye-witness who asked for police protection, when returning across the bridge, was told in no uncertain terms, “You have your day, let them have theirs.” A typical example of RUC hypocrisy. When have we ever seen the RUC stand back when loyalism is under threat?
MISLEADING COMMENTS The demands by people tike Canavan some cover-up steps. Two soldiers of the SDLP for the so-called security forces to investigate the involvement of members of the RUC and UDR in more than a devious attempt to cushion nationalist reaction.
support for the RUC (if they act in an impartial manner!) know only too well that it is highly improbable that been let off the hook on charges of murder and brutality, would be indicted on this current sectarian count.
POLITICAL COSMETICS What the SDLP are doing is toying with a system they know well is geared toward immobilising the political activity of the nationalist working class. This can be seen in, the consistent hemming in of the naactions of legalised ‘security’ forces and their loyalist para-military bedfellows. On a wider front, instead of the taking of action against members of the RUC and UDR involved in the Third Force parades, what we have is the ultimate expression of the biased to nationalist political activity asa