Republican News · Thursday 30 May 2002

Ballymurphy murals unveiled

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and Vice President Joe Cahill were the main speakers at a commemoration parade in, Ballymurphy, West Belfast, on Sunday last, 26 June.

The parade was the central part of a ceremony to unveil seven new murals that were painted to remember the republican dead of the area. Up to 2,000 people, marched through the district, stopping at each of the new murals for individual unveiling ceremonies. The murals were unveiled by local republican men and women who have been involved in the struggle for many years.

A group of almost 100 youngsters, mostly relatives of the dead, aged from six to 16, marched in formation. When they arrived at the platform on the Springfield Road, they were warmly applauded by the crowd.

Sinn Féin councillor for the area, Marie Cush, chaired the proceedings. When she called Joe Cahill to speak, he was given a huge cheer. His message was that there is no place like Ballymurphy, a sentiment that was well received.

Gerry Adams commended all those involved in the project and stressed that the commemoration was "about remembering our friends, our family members, our neighbours and comrades while respecting the right of others to do the same.

"Those names who are engraved on the Roll of Honour recall ordinary men and women, some little more than boys and girls, who saw injustice and who struck for freedom. They were prepared to put their lives on the line in pursuit of that noble cause," he said.

"Today, our memory is strong. Our memories of our friends and family and comrades we remember today are precious to us. They have been forged at a great cost and we will not forget."