Donal Fallon: From Selma to Derry and Sean McDermott Street, how Jesse Jackson touched Ireland with his energy

"Renowned for his powerful speeches, the late civil rights activist had a 'global presence' and will be fondly remembered by several downtrodden communities on this island When the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (Nicra) first emerged in 1967, its detractors insisted it was little more than a republican front, and a Trojan horse that would use the language of reform in pursuit of revolution."

"When the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (Nicra) first emerged in 1967, its detractors insisted it was little more than a republican front, and a Trojan horse that would use the language of reform in pursuit of revolution. In truth, it was a movement that sought only the fundamental rights promised to citizens, even drawing its constitution from that of the British National Council for Civil Liberties."

Renowned for powerful speeches, the late civil rights activist had a 'global presence' and will be fondly remembered by several downtrodden communities on this island. When the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (Nicra) first emerged in 1967, detractors insisted it was little more than a republican front and a Trojan horse that would use the language of reform in pursuit of revolution. In truth, Nicra sought only the fundamental rights promised to citizens and drew its constitution from the British National Council for Civil Liberties. The movement emphasized legal, civic reforms and non‑sectarian claims to equal citizenship rather than revolutionary aims.

Read at Independent