Northern Ireland

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In 1969 university students lead by Bernadette Devlin attempted to gain civil rights for the N.I. nationalists by imitating Martin Luther’s method in America.

It didn’t work. The Northern Ireland constabulary stood by while Unionists beat them up. They lacked 2 necessary conditions:

1. The U.K. doesn’t have a constitution that guarantees equal protection, They could not appeal to law,
2. Blacks had powerful supporters in the northern states. British public opinion sided with Unionists.

Violence was the last resort. It lasted 30 years resulting in an unstable government and wrecked economy.

Times have changed. Unionists no longer are in control. The 6 counties are ruled from London. Tony Blair insists on representation of both sides before local government is granted. The Republic is now very prosperous–a more attractive place than the British area.