Of course, now, justice for Bloody Sunday,
(or something near justice) for the grieved;
for civilians gunned down, killed in Derry.
Of course, now justice for Bloody Sunday
is recognised as a priority –
yet the timing questions the incentive,
of course. Now justice for Bloody Sunday
(or something near justice) for the grieved,
for there’s contested deals to be agreed
thus, I will not trust the current motives,
though for survivors and communities
of course, now. Justice for Bloody Sunday
sought since 1972, delays
and whitewashes have often been the creed,
so, I will not trust the current motives:
veiling tears in the vital peace treaty
that saw terrible troubles abated,
of course! Now justice for Bloody Sunday
must answer for the murders of that day
and to survivors who died in the wait,
but I will not trust the current motives
with threats of direct rule being replayed,
Northern Ireland, HMS Brexit’s wake
of course. Now justice for Bloody Sunday
is at last offered but it’s still not Okay
if misused by the rest of the UK
thus, I will not trust the current. Motives
of course. Now. Justice for Bloody Sunday
so very late, a vital initiative,
yet I will not trust the current motives,
through I see present and ongoing need.
While I will not trust the current motives;
politicians withheld prerogative
in so many ways for near five decades
so, I will not! Trust the current. Motives?
Of course! Now? Justice for Bloody Sunday!

In 1972 one of the most shameful days in UK history occurred, with troops opening fire and killing protestors in Derry, Northern Ireland. There has never really been a legitimate justice process with anyone made answerable for the killing and the aftermath of devastation. The Troubles, which officially began around 1968, continued to rage between communities for decades until the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 allowed for relative peace. All communities in Northern Ireland had been hurt in unimaginable ways by that time, their past full of disappearances, bombs, individual attacks, and mass killings. Ireland and mainland UK were also affected by the violence before the peace treaty. University friends of mine lived through this in Northern Ireland and in 2012 I met people (mainly from one ‘side’ of the conflict) who had been active in it.

Brexit, especially, but not only the prospect of a No Deal Brexit, threatens this peace by breaking the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.  Northern Ireland has been without a government for two years, and through other factors are involved, Brexit negotiations play a very real part in creating this insecurity. Yesterday Michael Gove MP mentioned the threat of returning Northern Ireland to direct rule because of this Brexit chaos. Unthinkable. I would have thought unsayable. But any form of Brexit, especially a No Deal Brexit has incalculable risks for so many, in Northern Ireland more than most.

Today we are told one soldier involved in the 1972 killings is to be charged with murder and attempted murder. It seems 17 soldiers are acquitted.  We are not told who gave the orders to shoot. Given the timing, I am cynical of true justice being achieved, but truly hope I’m wrong. Any justice is surely better than none? In the near half-century of waiting, many grieving and affected have lived and even died without answers.  As Westminster decides the shape of the UK’s future outside the European Union, I’m aware of the present dangers for Northern Ireland and it’s union with the rest of the UK, and for the peace and prosperity across the United Kingdom and the island of Ireland. I am hoping this conviction is more than a scapegoat to appease during a turbulent time. I am hoping peace will find a way and decisions now made in Westminster will protect the interests of all the communities in Northern Ireland along with the rest of the UK and our friend and neighbour, Ireland. I am hoping.

For the families

may past wrongs come to light,

may past wrongs stay past.

Please, for the grieving and the living, please.

Antonia Sara Zenkevitch