Thread - #OTD in 1936 a famous & magnificent victory over Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts took place; the #BattleofCableSt! Over 150 000 took to the streets to stop a fascist invasion of mainly Jewish areas of London's East End. British fascists met a serious defeat.
Mosley aimed to
Launch a mass movement ala Hitler. He poured resources into East London. Blackshirts created a reign of terror, particularly targeting Jews. Like Goebbels, they looked to "control the streets...conquer the masses". Sadly, some who should have known better told anti fascists to
"Stay away" & not oppose Mosley.
Locals & others showed better judgement! Phil Piratin, author of the classic Our Flag stays Red, was a key a/fascist organiser. Mosley wanted to march in columns to show strength. Though 70 000 signed a petition calling for the march to be banned
The authorities said, "free speech must prevail"...On the day, police repeatedly baton charged a/fascists. Pitched battles were fought at Gardiners Corner. Stones hit Mosley's car & 1 struck him.
An anti fascist tram driver left his vehicle in the streets; milk bottles, marbles,
Were used. Some police surrendered! A lorry was overturned in Cable St as fighting continued. Books by @davidjrosenberg & Alf Goldberg give wonderful accounts. By 4pm police realised a/fascists were unstoppable! Mosley was led out of the area! Cries of #NoPasaran rang out. Max
Levitas "we stayed in Cable St despite police horse charges and many arrests".
The day was a turning point.
The fascists tried to regroup in East London & launched vicious revenge attacks. Mosley campaigned against Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler.
But political & physical organ
Isation, often led by the Communist Party, undercut Mosley.
Last year a terrific event remembered the triumph. @jeremycorbyn @MichaelRosenYes @SearchltArchive @RMTunion @CWUnews @pcs_union @weymanbennett1 & a daughter of veteran Beatty Orwell, all made fine, powerful speeches.
Many messages came through, but centrally this one - the methods of mass mobilisation still matter.
Fascism hasn't gone away, it must be confronted & beaten. Cable St will long inspire! @AntiRacismDay @LouiseRawAuthor @nwuaf7 @anpilondon @ANPI_Scuola
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.