By Anthony Painter

This week marked the 75th anniversary of the battle of Cable Street. When Oswald Mosley attempted to march his British Union of Fascists black shirts through London’s East End on 4 October 1936, they were met by fierce resistance led by the area’s Jewish community. It was the moment pre-war British fascism was broken. Two days later, Mosley married Diana Mitford in the presence of Hitler in Berlin. She should have waited.

In a stunning publication edited by Steve Silver, 75. The battle of Cable Street anniversary, Searchlight commemorates the events of that day. It mixes textured history with rare photos published for the first time and eye-witness accounts. Through the mists of time the facts get lost. When the EDL tried to march on East London a few weeks ago, a Cable Street inspired protest was planned. Voices on the liberal left, including liberal conspiracist Sunny Hundal and academic Nina Power, even called for the EDL march to proceed. Neither seem to have read their Cable Street history. As Silver writes:

“Feelings ran high and the JPC [Jewish people’s council] led opposition to the proposed march by organising a 100,000 strong petition urging the home secretary to ban the march… But the government refused to ban the march and it was left to local people to defend their community from the fascists”. (more…)