CABLE STREET REVISITED
STEPPING INTO THE EAST END’S BATTLES OF THE 1930s
The dramatic story of how the people of the East End blocked the path of Oswald Mosley’s fascists in the 1930s is being told once again but this time the events are also being physically retraced. David Rosenberg will be leading a series of walks called “ANTIFASCIST FOOTPRINTS” between July and September this year.
The walks will start at Aldgate East – or Gardiners Corner as it was known then – where many tens of thousands stood to block Mosley’s path. They will wind their way to Cable Street, where the Jewish and Irish communities united to build barricades that prevented the fascists from invading the East End and terrorising its inhabitants.
There will be several stops along the way where David will tell the stories of ordinary people who became significant through this struggle and he will describe the role of organisations such as the Jewish People’s Council, the Independent Labour Party and the Communist Party in mobilising people to defend their communities. He will talk about the incidents they were caught up in and the actions they took and will locate the places where they organised their fight against fascism.
David says: “The fight against Mosley’s Blackshirts took place in so many arenas – on the streets, on housing estates, in the workplace, in youth clubs, in the press and through community institutions. Mosley was defeated then but fascism remains a live threat in Britain today. I believe that the experience of the 1930s provides lessons for the present.”
David’s grandparents came to the East End as immigrant children in the early 1900s. He worked there in the mid-1970s and the late 1980s, and published a study of how Eastenders responded to Mosley’s fascist movement, which was researched principally at Tower Hamlets Local History Library.
ANTIFASCIST FOOTPRINTS walks will take place on Sundays: 20th July, 24th August, 7th September and 28th September. Places on each walk are limited to 30 so advance booking is essential. Visit www.eastendwalks.com for booking information.
This is very good. “They shall not pass”
Comment by Anonymous — 8 July, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Its important to link Cable Street into not only events in the East End, but also against fascism in Europe, The British International Brigade and British Medical Unit in Spain.
Will the walk include the underground public convienece that about 100 comrades were held in by police
or the first aid posts set up by student nurses and doctors from The Royal London/Mile End hospital
Its a shame Tolpuddle clashes each year with the marking of the anniversary of the International Brigade in Jubille Gardens
its also important to remember the Dod Street Free speech fight around the corner organised by the SDF
No Pasaran
Comment by Simon — 8 July, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Having worked for short time in Aldgate and now living in the city of Garcia Lorca,I hope to join one of walks that is an important link in the 20th Century fight against fascism. Thanks david.
Comment by Pete Brown — 8 July, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
I went on this walk today - it was really good! David’s knowledge and enthusiasm brought the period to life, reminding me of things I’d forgotten and introducing me to new characters and events in the rich history of East London’s anti-fascist struggle.
I’m sure we all went away feeling inspired to keep these great traditions of unity and defiance alive, so thanks David, and I hope you get the chance to do many more of these tours in future!
Comment by steph — 20 July, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
Thanks very much Steph - it was a really nice group to walk with and am glad to have met another contributor to this blog! Next walk is on August 24th.
Comment by David Rosenberg — 20 July, 2008 @ 6:51 pm