by Gráinne Connolly
Veteran civil rights campaigner Ivan Cooper has passed away.
It's understood the 75-year-old died in hospital early this morning.
Mr Cooper was one of the leaders of the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland in the 1960's.
He was one of the organisers of the Duke Street march in Derry/Londonderry in October 1968 and also organised the anti-internment march in the City, which led to the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972.
Ivan was also one of the founder members of the SDLP party.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood says Ivan "embodied the contrasting traditions of this island but that his driving ambition was to deliver civil rights, equality and fairness for people regardless of their background.
“Ivan Cooper was born to break the mould. A working class Protestant man who saw a common injustice and inequality that had taken root in Protestant and Catholic communities, he dedicated his life to fighting it.
“As an early leader in the Civil Rights Movement, few have contributed as much to peace and equality on this island than Ivan. Organising marches in Derry for the right to a home, the right to a job and the right to a vote, Ivan often put himself in the path of danger to secure justice for people in every community.
"And on many occasions that meant that he suffered vilification and violence for his convictions. It never stopped him.
"Alongside his close friend John Hume, he helped blaze the trail on the path that led to the Good Friday Agreement.
“Anyone who knew Ivan knows that his selfless passion for justice continued to burn brightly into his later years.
"His unwavering belief that people on this island should come together to fight for common ideals and in their common interest is a lesson for us all.
"Especially as we face political division today.
“A man of sharp contrasts, sharp intellect and, it must be said, sharp tongue, he stands as a giant in the story of this island. And he holds a special place in the hearts of SDLP members.
“I want to express my deepest sympathies to Ivan’s wife Frances, his daughters Sinead and Bronagh and his entire family circle at this difficult time.
(Civil rights campaigners John Hume and Ivan Cooper in front of a mural of themselves in Derry/Londonderry)
Meanwhile, Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt played the role of Ivan Cooper in the 2002 film 'Bloody Sunday'.
In a previous interview with Q Radio, he described Mr Cooper as an extraordinary man, who played a huge role in his acting career and his life as someone living in Northern Ireland.
The following statement has also been issued on behalf of fellow civil rights campaigner John Hum and his wife Pat.
Pat Hume said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our dear friend Ivan Cooper.
“Ivan and John walked side by side, hand in hand, in their shared desire for equality, justice and peace in Ireland.
“Ivan was the embodiment of the non-violent and non-sectarian movement for change that was the campaign for civil rights.
“His commitment and courage and his desire and determination to tackle these issues never waned.
"Nor did his friendship and relationship with John and me. He was loyal friend and constant visitor to John in recent years even as both battled ill-health.
“Ivan Cooper will forever hold a special place, not only, in our hearts but in the history of this island and in the continuing of the fight for civil rights and social justice.
“We send our condolences to Ivan’s wife Frances, daughters Sinead and Bronagh and wider family circle.”
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