Thousands of bikers bring Westminster to a standstill to show support for British Army ‘Soldier F’

Hundreds of bikers gathered from all across the country to ride on Westminster, to show support for the Bloody Sunday Massacre murder accused.

An estimated 7,000 bikers, riding all manner of motorcycles, brought traffic in central London to a standstill as they rode across Westminster Bridge in a show of solidarity with ‘Soldier F.’

‘Soldier F’ is the code name for the one soldier who is facing prosecution for the 1972 massacre.

Hundreds of bikers gathered from all across the country to ride on Westminster, to show support for the Bloody Sunday Massacre murder accused

An estimated 7,000 bikers, riding all manner of motorcycles, brought traffic in central London to a standstill

An estimated 7,000 bikers, riding all manner of motorcycles, brought traffic in central London to a standstill

They rode across Westminster Bridge in a show of solidarity with ‘Soldier F', the code name for the one soldier who is facing prosecution for the 1972 massacre

They rode across Westminster Bridge in a show of solidarity with ‘Soldier F’, the code name for the one soldier who is facing prosecution for the 1972 massacre

Organisers of the event, dubbed ‘Rolling Thunder’, say they are protesting the British Government’s actions in charging the former squaddie

Organisers of the event, dubbed ‘Rolling Thunder’, say they are protesting the British Government’s actions in charging the former squaddie

The extent of the protest was seen made clear from the air, with hundreds of bikers seen snaking around Parliament Square

The extent of the protest was seen made clear from the air, with hundreds of bikers seen snaking around Parliament Square

Motorcyclists rode a vast array of different bikes, including trikes and scooters, through central London

Motorcyclists rode a vast array of different bikes, including trikes and scooters, through central London

The CPS announced last month that the man, whose identity is being protected, is to face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney

The CPS announced last month that the man, whose identity is being protected, is to face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney

These tourists on a tour bus got more than they paid for as the bikers rode past them through Westminster

These tourists on a tour bus got more than they paid for as the bikers rode past them through Westminster

Organisers of the event, dubbed ‘Rolling Thunder’, say they are protesting the British Government’s actions in charging the former squaddie. 

The CPS announced last month that the man, whose identity is being protected, is to face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney. 

He is the only one set to stand trial for the massacre, that took place in Derry at the height of the Troubles.

British soldiers from 1 Para opened fire on protesters, claiming the lives of 14 Irish nationals and wounding at least 14 more.

As the protest took place in London, a similar Rolling Thunder demonstration rode to Stormont, in Belfast, also to show support for Soldier F.   

Around 80 riders, many of them military veterans, set off from the Cultra, County Down, and arrived at Stormont, the seat of devolved government in Belfast, at around 1.30pm.

He is the only one set to stand trial for the massacre, that took place in Derry at the height of the Troubles

He is the only one set to stand trial for the massacre, that took place in Derry at the height of the Troubles

British soldiers from 1 Para opened fire on protesters, claiming the lives of 14 Irish nationals and wounding at least 14 more. Above: a biker rides a trike motorcycle past the Cenotaph in Westminster

British soldiers from 1 Para opened fire on protesters, claiming the lives of 14 Irish nationals and wounding at least 14 more. Above: a biker rides a trike motorcycle past the Cenotaph in Westminster

The events of Bloody Sunday helped gain support for the Provisional IRA in the Troubles. Above: a biker rides past Parliament

The events of Bloody Sunday helped gain support for the Provisional IRA in the Troubles. Above: a biker rides past Parliament

The bikers donned helmets and goggles and dressed mainly in black as they rode their bikes through the capital

The bikers donned helmets and goggles and dressed mainly in black as they rode their bikes through the capital

Some bikers wore jackets adorned with medals and badges, including this military man

Some bikers wore jackets adorned with medals and badges, including this military man

Others waved Union Jacks and the St George's flag as they rode through the seat of the British Government and Parliament

Others waved Union Jacks and the St George’s flag as they rode through the seat of the British Government and Parliament

There was the sound of horns blasting and engines revving as the bikers rode up the mile-long Prince of Wales Avenue.

Parachute Regiment flags flew from a number of the bikes taking part.

The events of Bloody Sunday helped galvanise support for the Provisional IRA early in the Troubles.

At the same time as the London demonstration, another 'Rolling Thunder' group rode to Stormont, in Belfast, Northern Ireland

At the same time as the London demonstration, another ‘Rolling Thunder’ group rode to Stormont, in Belfast, Northern Ireland

They were also riding in support of Soldier F, with some displaying flags with the words, 'I stand with Soldier F'

They were also riding in support of Soldier F, with some displaying flags with the words, ‘I stand with Soldier F’ 

Around 80 riders, many of them military veterans, set off from the Cultra, County Down, and arrived at Stormont, the seat of devolved government in Belfast, at around 1.30pm

Around 80 riders, many of them military veterans, set off from the Cultra, County Down, and arrived at Stormont, the seat of devolved government in Belfast, at around 1.30pm

An image of a Catholic priest waving a bloodstained handkerchief as he tried to help a victim to safety went around the world.  

A public inquiry conducted by a senior judge shortly after the deaths was branded a whitewash by victims’ families and a campaign was launched for a new public inquiry.

Relatives sought to right the wrongs of false claims that their loved ones had been armed. A fresh probe was eventually ordered by then prime minister Tony Blair in 1998.  

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, investigated by Lord Saville, concluded that protesters who posed no threats to the soldiers were killed.

British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire killing 13 civilians on Bloody Sunday, in a standoff is near barricade 14 on William St, Londonderry, on 30 January 1972

British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire killing 13 civilians on Bloody Sunday, in a standoff is near barricade 14 on William St, Londonderry, on 30 January 1972

 

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