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During the late 1960s, partially inspired by the civil rights movement in the [[United States]], Northern Ireland Catholics began to protest against perceived discrimination by the government.  Protests were initially led by the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]], or NICRA, which was founded in January 1967. NICRA's demands included repeal of the Special Powers Act, the end of the paramilitary B Specials police force, an end to the gerrymandering in local elections, and an end to discrimination in terms of government housing and government employment.

During the late 1960s, partially inspired by the civil rights movement in the [[United States]], Northern Ireland Catholics began to protest against perceived discrimination by the government.  Protests were initially led by the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]], or NICRA, which was founded in January 1967. NICRA's demands included repeal of the Special Powers Act, the end of the paramilitary B Specials police force, an end to the gerrymandering in local elections, and an end to discrimination in terms of government housing and government employment.

Protests typically took the form of marches or other demonstrations.  One of the most important protests took place on January 1, 1969, when a group from the student People's Democracy organization organized a march from Belfast to Derry, intended to imitate [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]'s marches from Selma to Montgomery.  The march was repeatedly attacked by unionists (those wishing for Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom), including off-duty policemen.  The most intense violence occurred at Burntollet Bridge, where the marchers were attacked by 200 unionists while police did little to intervene.

Protests typically took the form of marches or other demonstrations.  One of the most important protests took place on January 1, 1969, when a group from the student People's Democracy organization organized a march from Belfast to [[Derry]], intended to imitate [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]'s marches from Selma to Montgomery.  The march was repeatedly attacked by unionists (those wishing for Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom), including off-duty policemen.  The most intense violence occurred at Burntollet Bridge, where the marchers were attacked by 200 unionists while police did little to intervene.

== The Troubles ==

== The Troubles ==