Eyewitness: the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street

Chris Hobbs attends a leftist event of notable significance.

Those emerging from Whitechapel Station on a bright October Sunday morning will have walked into a hive of activity as individuals handed out numerous leaflets together with placards which heralded a leftist event of notable significance; namely the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.

The atmosphere was carnival-like with police officers appearing cheerful, although this was perhaps due to England’s remarkable seven-nil victory over Croatia the evening before.

Yet, this event was not without controversy. In the days leading up to the day in question, which conveniently fell on a Sunday, organisers made it clear that groups belonging to Jewish organisations they regard as ‘Zionist’ would not be welcome. This was based, in part, on the grounds that the ‘banned’ groups had links with the UK’s far-right; an allegation fiercely denied by the groups themselves. The main factor, however, clearly was the fact that these groups support Israel in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Concerns

The ‘banned’ groups chose to meet a ten- minute walk away at Aldgate East station and there was concern that either they would walk back up the road and attempt to force their way into those gathering or, as with the pro-Palestinian marches, form up and heckle the leftist protesters as they walked past.

In fact, whether due to police presiding over negotiations’ or simply  that there was a determination to preserve the dignity of occasion, neither of the above-mentioned scenarios materialised.

One ominous Whitechapel gathering concerned about 100 pro-Palestinian youths assembling some distance away from the main throng. Many were masked and they unfurled a large banner which stated simply; ‘F*ck the police.’

Officers on the opposite side of the road observed this with interest but after two minutes, the banner was re-folded and tucked away out of sight.

Jewish groups and their allies march

I walked on down to Aldgate East station and found that the Jewish groups and their allies had left. I made my way along Leman Street and found the march paused at the junction with Cable Street itself. One interesting observation was the fact that there was not one Israeli flag on display. It would appear that the organisers wanted this event to be predominately about the anniversary and linked antisemitism, both current and historic, rather than events in the Middle East.

The march moved off along Cable Street and came to a halt at St. George’s Gardens; a park area where the leftist commemorative march was due to end later with a festival.

Those who were descendants of those involved in ‘the battle of Cable Street’ were invited into the park where they posed in front of a quite magnificent mural depicting events during that day in 1936. They duly emerged and speeches were made while the favourite chant of the afternoon voiced by the Jewish marchers was; ’90 years and we’re still here.’

One female, complete with a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf attracted some attention but no animosity while a passer-by who shouted ‘free Palestine’ was ushered on his way by the Met’s best known liaison officer.

At the conclusion of the speeches the march moved off to nearby Shadwell Station where it dispersed.

The ‘leftist’ Cable Street march arrives

I then walked back along Cable Street to the junction with Leman Street where the leftist march was arriving and it was clear that this was not simply about events ninety years ago. Other themes included the Palestinian cause together with links to modern day racism, antisemitism and current tensions in Northern Ireland. The march again was well-ordered and after a pause at the junction, made its way along Cable Street to the park and the planned festival.

That both marches were to follow identical routes, albeit at a distance from each other, was, presumably, a carefully considered decision by the Met’s Public Order Branch. The presence of three Territorial Support Group carriers at the rear of the leftist march made it clear that the Met was prepared for disorder had events not gone as planned.

An unwelcome hat-trick for the Met

Sunday’s event was the first of three the Met were having to deal with in a week. On Wednesday the 7th of October there is a controversial march by pro-Palestine students in central London and the following Saturday yet another ‘Groundhog Day’ Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest which returns to the streets after a lengthy ‘summer break.’

Met officers will also be ‘on stand-by’ in case they are called upon to provide ‘mutual aid’ to other forces in relation to the migrant issue.

Chris Hobbs is a former Special Branch officer who follows public order events as an observer for Police Oracle.

Category: Public Order