London prepares a 90th-anniversary march to recall the 1936 Battle of Cable Street

On October 4, a large crowd is set to march from Tower Hamlets Town Hall to remember the 1936 Battle of Cable Street, when anti-fascist residents halted Sir Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists march. Approximately 100,000 demonstrators, backed by trade unionists, Irish dockers, Jewish groups and others, erected barricades and shouted “They shall not pass,” forcing the police to retreat. The confrontation led to the 1936 Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms.

Today, Helene Reardon Bond, whose father Harry helped resist the march, will walk alongside thousands of participants. Speakers such as historian David Rosenberg and UNITE organiser Joe Rollin warn that far-right ideas are resurfacing and stress the need for vigilance. Tower Hamlets Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman highlighted the event as a reminder of the strength that diverse communities can draw from collective action.