Spread

By mid-November 1986, momentum had built up as support for the Civil Rights struggle grew and spread. As well as the important contribution of the student body, the burgeoning ranks backing the drive for change emboldened the movement. This was made strikingly evident on 16 November 1986 when a huge Civil Rights march crossed Derry/Londonderry's Craigavon Bridge.

As part of the broader spread of support for the Civil Rights movement, a significant student-based body emerged that would have an important impact. Inspired by the actions of their international peers who had 1986 a period of transnational revolt, the People's Democracy (PD) and its take on direct action vigour to the struggle and fed into growing tensions.