Black History Walks | London's Black History
Film Screening | Black People’s Day of Action 1981: Reflections
In commemoration of the 20,000 strong London march for Black British Civil rights we talk with some of those involved.
This event is organised by Black History Walks as part of 60 Years Since 1965 the first ever Race Relations Act, and 20 years of the African Odysseys film series
On Monday March 2nd 1981 20,000 people marched from New Cross to Hyde Park corner to protest against the state’s reaction to the deaths of 13 young black people in a house fire in New Cross on 18th January 1981.
It was the biggest mobilisation of Black people in history and a massive organisational success for grassroots bodies at a time of blatant racism and physical attacks.
Full coaches came down from Bradford, Manchester and Birmingham. Thousands started the march as it set off from New Cross and thousands more joined in along the way, including school children who ran out of class to participate.
Both anniversaries are typically ignored by mainstream media. On this day, the closest Saturday to the actual anniversary, we will have session of archive videos, rare interviews, original news coverage and testimony from some of the people involved in the march. Special guests include Terry Jervis, Gary Collins, Nadia Denton and others.