Stopping the Fascists 90 years ago and lessons for today
JVL Introduction
Ninety years ago today, 4 October 1936, Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists planned to march through a predominantly Jewish section of East London, instead the fascists were met by over 100,000 local residents and workers who fought the fascists and police. The march was stopped but many of those resisting were treated brutally and some imprisoned.
A large march and rally has been held and the Jewish Bloc organised a celebration and Shabbat meal on Friday where they heard from people whose parents had been involved in that Battle of Cable Street.
Here David Rosenberg writes about what happened, notes the efforts and entreaties from the Jewish Establishment organisations and media that Jews should stay away and not provoke antisemitism. Instead, the highly vulnerable Jewish East Enders organised and joined with others mobilised by dogged work of antifascists. These included Irish dockers, communists and Trade Unionists who together made sure that “they did not pass”.
David has many years of involvement in commemorating and writing about Cable Street and his detailed account here makes for fascinating reading not only in terms of t what happened, the people involved but also what lessons we can apply to countering the rise of the far right in our society today.
This article was originally published by The Jacobin on Sat 3 Oct 2026. Read the original here.
The Battle of Cable Street Was an Antifascist Landmark
Ninety years ago this Sunday, antifascist demonstrators routed Oswald Mosley and his supporters when they tried to terrorize the Jews of London’s East End. It’s an important anniversary in a year when a new far-right movement is gathering strength.
Loading article text…
No comments on this post so far.