in

The Battle of Cable Street: When Antifascist Workers Rebelled Against the Police and British Union of Fascists in 1936

On Sunday, 4 October 1936, a clash between the Metropolitan Police and the British Union of Fascists led by Oswald Mosley occurred at Cable Street and Whitechapel in the East End of London. London Jews and Irish laborers stood up against the march because Mosley wanted to march through their streets. Around 175 people were injured, including police officers, women, and children. About 150 demonstrators were arrested, although some escaped with the help of other demonstrators.

Background

The 1930s was a period of seismic political change throughout Europe. Mass unemployment and economic depression led to chaos and turmoil. Fascist dictators took control in Germany, Romania, and Italy, while communists gained control in Spain and Russia. In the early 1900s, many Jewish Refugees arrived in the East End of London. Sir Oswald Mosley always admired the Fascist dictator Mussolini. He became the British Union of Fascists (BUF) leader in 1932 and created a sinister organization, ‘The Blackshirts,’ modeled on Mussolini’s Squadrismo. They were known for their violence after attacking a left-wing Daily Worker meeting in Olympia in June 1934.

Opposition against Mosley’s BUF

As Mosley’s activities were growing, the opposition against his organization was also increasing across London. Trade unionists, communists as well as the Jewish community were becoming increasingly mobilized. When Mosley announced a march in the area of the Jewish community, the Jewish council presented a petition of 100,000 names to urge the Home Secretary to ban the march. The Daily Worker called people to the streets on the day of the protest to block Mosley’s way, while the Jewish Chronicle warned its readers to stay home on the day.

The Battle of Cable Street, 4 October 1936

On Sunday, 4 October, thousands of British Union of Fascists (BUF) gathered on the streets with 3,000 BUF Blackshirts. Thousands of antifascists and regular Londoners also gathered on the streets to refuse the fascists’ passage through Stepney. Four sympathetic tram drivers strategically abandoned their vehicles to help block the road to the fascists. The police amassed 6,000 officers who attempted to clear the road for the fascists, but they were met with fierce resistance. The demonstrators fought back with sticks, rocks, chair legs, and other improvised weapons. Rubbish, rotten vegetables, and the contents of chamber pots were thrown at the police by women in houses along the street. Around 175 people were injured, including the police officers, and 150 demonstrators were arrested. The six fascists were also arrested.

The aftermath of the Battle of Cable Street

The Battle of Cable Street was a turning point. The government passed the Public Order Act o f1936, which required march organizers to seek permission from the police. Two days after the events at Cable Street, Oswald Mosley was married in Germany in the home of Joseph Goebbels. Mosley and other leaders of the BUF were imprisoned in 1940.

#1 Sir Oswald Mosley inspects his followers on the day of the ‘Battle of Cable Street’, 5th October 1936.

Sir Oswald Mosley inspects his followers on the day of the 'Battle of Cable Street', 5th October 1936.

Behind him, on the right, is Neil Francis-Hawkins, Director General of the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists.

#2 End of Great Smithfield meat Strike in London on February 11th Street, 1936

#4 Boxing match in the street at Clerkenwell Green, a company of little boys arranged a boxing match.

Boxing match in the street at Clerkenwell Green, a company of little boys arranged a boxing match.

They set up a ring with a cord. After the performance they collected money (pennies) from the large crowd which was attracted. The boys have performances of several fights. July 1936

#5 British policemen dismantle a barrier near Mark Lane, London, to make way for a march by supporters of the leader of the British Union of Fascists Oswald Mosley.

British policemen dismantle a barrier near Mark Lane, London, to make way for a march by supporters of the leader of the British Union of Fascists Oswald Mosley.

The barricade was constructed by members of the Communist Party during the Battle of Cable Street.

#6 An anti-Fascist crowd, some of them carrying missiles, run from a barricade they have erected near Aldgate.

An anti-Fascist crowd, some of them carrying missiles, run from a barricade they have erected near Aldgate.

The police are charging on the far side of the barricade, which has been reinforced with paving stones.

#7 British politician Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley inspects members of his British Union of Fascists in Royal Mint Street, London.

#8 British politician Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley inspects members of his British Union of Fascists in Royal Mint Street, 4th October 1936

#9 Policemen arresting a demonstrator when fascists and communists clashed during a march know as the Battle of Cable Street, 1936.

#10 His head bandaged after a blow from a cudgel, an injured British Fascist rejoins the ranks for a mass march through East London, 1936

#11 Police remove an overturned lorry used as a barricade during the Communist-Fascist riots in Cable Street, 4th October 1936.

#12 Riots between anti-Fascists and Blackshirts (British Fascists) in London.

Riots between anti-Fascists and Blackshirts (British Fascists) in London.

Anti-Fascists were setting up barricades against a march of Mosley's supporters in Cable Street in the East End of London in what is now called the Battle of Cable Street; an anti-Fascist is taken away by police on October 4, 1936

#13 Riots between anti-Fascists and Blackshirts (British Fascists) in London.

#14 Riots between anti-Fascists and Blackshirts (British Fascists) in London, 1936.

Riots between anti-Fascists and Blackshirts (British Fascists) in London, 1936.

Anti-Fascists were setting up barricades against a march of Mosley's supporters in Cable Street in the East End of London in what is now called the Battle of Cable Street; an anti-Fascist is taken away by police on October 4, 1936

#15 Mosley’s supporters were gathering in Great Mint Street for a march through the East End of London culminating in the Battle of Cable Street, 1936.

#16 Police removing the barricades on October 4, 1936.

#17 Police arrest a man during a British Union of Fascists demonstration on Royal Mint Street in the East End of London, England, 4th October 1936.

#18 Repairing a pavement in Cable Street, Mark Lane, London which was ripped up to prevent a Fascist march.

#19 A crowd of demonstrators fleeing as police break down a barricade in Cable Street, Aldgate, east London.

#20 Riots between anti-Fascists and Blackshirts (British Fascists) in London.

#21 Post Office engineers erecting telegraph poles on the Cardiff Pontypridd road, 1936.

Avatar of Aung Budhh

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *