Sounds like solidarity

Unite has organised a night of DJs and sound systems in Shoreditch, with all funds going to striking workers to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.

The gig, at Kachette in Shoreditch on Saturday 3 October, will be a warm up to a major march from Whitechapel through the East End to a rally with speakers, music and poetry the following day.

DJs curated by Sports Banger and King Alpha Sound System will be performing at the Cable Street 90 event. Tickets can be purchased here, with all proceeds being donated to workers on strike.

The gig is part of Unite’s plans to commemorate 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street. On 4 October 1936, Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists were chased off the streets of East London by a strong, organised working class who knew that the politics of hate and division offers no solutions.

On the Whitechapel street 5,000 fascists were left humiliated after being forced to abandon their march through the diverse and largely Jewish area. They had been faced with thousands of local people of every background who had gathered to reject fascism and hate.

Sports Banger, a fashion-label run by Jonny Banger which has put on raves, including the Shangri-la ‘Opening Ceremony’ at Glastonbury, since 2018. King Alpha Sound System is a UK sound system headed up by Ras Peter and Ras Joseph.

Jonny Banger, of Sports Banger, said: “Fascists hate dancing. That’s why we are honoured to be at Cable Street 90 – united in the spirit of rave and resistance. Join us in solidarity for a proper East End knees-up and put fascism back in the bin.”

Unite senior organiser Joe Rollin said: “This gig is about remembering the working class people – Jewish families, dockers and trade unionists – who stood shoulder to shoulder to tell the fascists: ‘You shall not pass’.

“It will celebrate the solidarity that defeated fascism in 1936 and bring people together to keep that spirit alive. When racism and fascism try to divide our communities, we stand together, organise and fight back.”

Unite will also be supporting the major march and rally on the anniversary day. Those who wish to participate can meet Sunday 4 October outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall from midday, with the march beginning at 1pm.

The Cable Street 90 gig takes place at Kachette, 347 Old Street, in Shoreditch on Saturday 3 October, and runs from 8pm to 11.30pm. 

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

Unite Live will be covering preparations and the anniversary events on October 4 – so keep checking back for the latest details. 

By Keith Hatch