On this day in 1936 the Jewish community of East London and its allies blocked the streets in order to prevent Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists marching through in what became known as the Battle for Cable Street.
Rushanara Ali MP said:
“Today we remember how 81 years ago thousands of East Londoners stood together against intolerance, antisemitism and fascism when on Saturday 4th October 1936, Oswald Mosely tried to divide our East End community but was met by a tide of local opposition. The fight against racism, islamophobia, anti-semitism and other forms of prejudice and intolerance must continue. Racism and discrimination is on the rise since the Brexit referendum last year.
According to the Home Office, there was a 34% increase in recorded hate crimes, a massive 173% increase over the last five years. In 2016 alone there were 1,219 recorded Islamophobic hate crimes in London, a 17% increase on the previous year. 81 years ago, Londoners said no to Oswald Mosely and no racism. 81 years later, we will continue to stand united and reject racism, prejudice and discrimination."