For over 50 years, bereaved families have been waiting for some semblance of justice. Yesterday, that justice was cruelly denied.
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin reached to the verdict in the trial of ‘Soldier F’ from Derry: “The decision not to convict Soldier F is a travesty. We stand with the Bloody Sunday families. There should be no impunity for state killers… The Bloody Sunday families, the people of Derry and campaigners across Ireland and internationally, can stand proud knowing we are right. This decision will be appealed. The demand for truth and justice for all victims of state violence will continue. The British state must be held to account for its past atrocities, and those it commits today in Gaza and elsewhere."
Soldier F received unprecedented protections during the trial process, and few people had faith that the justice system would do right by the victims. However, this is a shocking blow to the families of peaceful protestors who were murdered in cold blood by the British state. This is another shameful decision by the state, which evidences their unending quest to deny truth and justice to the Bloody Sunday families. People Before Profit will continue to stand behind the Bloody Sunday families and all those challenging injustice. We shall overcome.