Today, we went to see a mural in Cable Street, Whitechapel, which records the ‘Battle of Cable Street’.

In 1936 Oswald Mosley led the British Union of Fascists on a march into the East End, at that time the centre of London Jewish life. Large numbers of anti-fascists, including

Jewish, Irish, socialist and communist groups came out to protest. The fascists were escorted by 10,000 police but nevertheless, battle ensued and they were forced to abandon the march.

The mural, very much in a Diego Rivera style, records the event in colourful detail. Even though the surrounding houses are fairly  dilapidated the work is very well maintained as an icon of East End history.