President Michael D Higgins presents special award to Civil Rights champion Ivan Cooper. PIC DONAL DUNN/NORTHWEST NEWSPIX
The festival was led by the NI Civil Rights Commemoration Committee with support from the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor John Boyle.
On Saturday President Michael D Higgins received a standing ovation as he delivered the keynote festival address to a packed Main Hall, presenting a special tribute to veteran Civil Rights campaigner Ivan Cooper.
Following on from this event, renowned BBC journalist and author Fergal Keane gave the John Hume Civil Rights lecture introduced by Pat Hume.
On Sunday morning a panel of leading human rights figures, including Gareth Pierce, Michael Mansfield QC, Baroness Nuala O’Loan and Lord Alf Dubs took to the stage to discuss ‘The British State, NI and the delivery of Civil and Human Rights: lessons and learnings’, chaired by Denis Bradley.
Mayor John Boyle makes a special presentation to President Higgins as he and his wife Sabina met with Pat Hume in the Mayor’s Parlour on their arrival at the 50th anniversary Civil Rights Festival.
Further images from all the weekend events are available on request.
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