The London Walker

This weekend I attended an OpenCity Walk hosted by the brilliant Martin Scholar from Commercial Road down to Wapping. We were lucky as London that morning was bathed in glorious sunshine. How long ago that already feels. Along the way we stopped at St. George’s Town Hall by the extraordinary mural depicting the Battle of Cable Street. This was a significant event that took place in London’s East End on October 4 1936. It was a clash between various groups, primarily involving anti-fascist protesters, the Metropolitan Police, and a contingent of British fascists led by Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists (BUF).

The predominantly mixed population of London’s East End, mostly Irish and Jewish immigrants, alongside trade unionists, socialist groups and ordinary citizens, fought a bloody battle with the Fascists, who were attempting to march through the East End. The protestors were victorious and Mosley’s supporters were forced to retreat and abandon their plans.

The Battle of Cable Street is remembered as a significant victory and a symbol of community solidarity against hate and bigotry. It remains an important event in British history, highlighting the importance of standing up and defending our democratic values.

The mural project was initiated by local residents and activists in the late 1970s to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the battle and to celebrate the multicultural heritage of the area. The mural was created by a group of artists led by Dave Binnington and Paul Butler, with contributions from the community.

Work on the mural began in 1979 and was completed in 1983. It spans over 800 square meters and is one of the largest pieces of public art in London. The artwork portrays various aspects of the Battle of Cable Street, including the diverse coalition of protesters, the clashes with the police and BUF members. It is an astonishing work of art and filled with amazing little details, Hitler in his underpants, a bottle of milk flying through the air, a lady emptying her bed-pan on the police in the street below. Lots of quirkiness as you’d expect. I think the mural helps us celebrate the rich cultural heritage of London’s East End.