The following text was taken from the pamphlet "Bloody Sunday - A Miscarriage Of Justice", published by the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign in1998

Across the world,many public figures,eminent academics and legal experts cast doubt on the Widgery report and many searching questions were asked. However, the Government refused to be drawn on these matters and eventually succeeded in containing the "issue" of Bloody Sunday.

Many believed that the killings had been sanctioned at the highest level because of the extent of the cover-up and that Widgery had been used to protect the guilty from prosecution.

The families of the victims regarded the report with contempt. Not only had Government troops murdered their loved ones, but the Judiciary had contrived to distort the facts and conceal the truth.This was a double blow to those who had suffered the consequences of Bloody Sunday.Undeterred, they began to campaign to have the case reopened.

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary,the families came together under the banner of the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign to intensify efforts to uncover the truth.Three aims were established:

1. That the British Government should publicly and unambiguously exonerate those killed and injured;

2. That the British Government publicly repudiate the Widgery report in its entirety;

3.That those responsible for the murders and attempted murders on the streets of Derry on 30th January 1972 be brought to justice.

This gave the group a clear focus and enabled it to develop a coherent strategy.

On many occasions,over the last 25 years,the campaign has met with disappointment and rejection but the search for truth and justice has always persisted. Clearly,the families have always had time and truth on their side and their motivation has never faulted regardless of circumstances.The families have refused to align themselves with any particular political grouping. Instead, they seek cross party and community support to expose the most horrific human rights violation this country has ever seen.

The actions of Bloody Sunday and the Widgery findings have only served to alienate the Nationalist community in Ireland. The passage of time has done little to heal the wounds that exist. A sense of frustration and anger still pervades because the Government has never been brought to account for its actions. After 26 years, the true meaning of peace and reconciliation cannot be advanced if the overriding values of peace and justice are denied.