No Pasaran!

With only two months to go organisers are finalising plans to commemorate one of the biggest moments in working class history – The Battle of Cable Street.

Unite is fully involved and taking part in the packed programme of events to mark the 90th anniversary of the pivotal moment in the fight against fascism – with details of Sunday’s major march and rally, along with a warm up gig on the Saturday night now being released.

Unite will be supporting the major rally in London’s East End on Sunday 4 October where the community and trade unions, along with political and anti-facist organisations, will rally together to commemorate 90 years since over 100,000 people took to the streets under the slogan: “They Shall Not Pass!”. 

They stood strong against a provocative march planned by Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirt thugs through East London’s Jewish community and sent the fascists packing.

Marchers and their banners asked to meet on Sunday 4 October at midday outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall. The march begins at 13.00 and the nearest tube is Whitechapel.

The night before, as part of a whole series of events in advance of the rally, everyone is invited to join SPORTS BANGER and King Alpha Sound System at Unite the union’s gig in Shoreditch to mark the anniversary.

SPORTS BANGER is an anti-establishment, bootlegging rag-tag collective with a DIY ethos – throwing raves, putting on exhibitions, making T-shirts and publishing books, while always focusing on community and bringing a stacked lineup of DJs, while King Alpha Sound System is a serious UK sound system headed up by Ras Peter and Ras Joseph.

The gig will take place at Kachette, a versatile industrial-style venue on OLd Street, and all ticket funds donated to workers on strike. To find out more and to book tickets go here. 

Unite will also be releasing a special publication to be distributed to marchers on the day that will be packed full of stories of resistance and working class history. 

You can find out more on Unite’s Battle of Cable Street 90th Anniversary event page, and you can keep up to date by registering for more information here. The page is full of information and resources – including a special “Unite Activist News” and some fantastic short films. 

In one you can hear from London cabbie Peter Bond. Peter’s father-in-law was an East End activist and fought Mosley’s fascists in Cable Street in 1936. Today Peter continues his work, building an East End that welcomes all and stands together for a better deal for all working people.

You can also find out more at the TOGETHER on Cable Street website here.

There is also more information on Unite Live here – and keep following Unite Live for updates in advance of the weekend and a full report afterwards. 

By Keith Hatch