Battle of Cable Street 90th anniversary exhibition opens in London

An exhibition titled ‘Solidarity On The Streets’ has opened at Four Corners in Bethnal Green to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. The exhibition documents the history of resistance to racism and fascism in London’s East End.

The Battle of Cable Street, which occurred on 4 October 1936, involved approximately 100,000 protesters confronting the British Union of Fascists, led by Sir Oswald Mosley, who intended to march through the Jewish community in Whitechapel. The event was part of a series of anti-fascist confrontations across the UK and led to the passage of the 1936 Public Order Act, which banned paramilitary political organizations and uniforms.

The exhibition also highlights the historical links between the East End protesters and the Spanish Civil War, noting that many participants were inspired by Spanish resistance and later joined the International Brigades.