Against Xenophobia / Racism / Hatred / Fascism
As part of Make Your Mark in Dalston When / Friday the 17th of Jan 2020 / Midday to 2pm. The Walk / From 151 Balls Pond Road ( opposite the church 147 Balls Pond Road ) to Ridley Road Market / Please Note - We will be meeting up at 11am beforehand / VFD 66 Stokenewington Road N16 7XB
We are walking against the wave of Xenophobia that has been part of the rhetoric of the recent Elections, the Racism and Hatred that is on the rise of all who are considered 'other' and the history of Fascism that is part of Dalston's history. This is a walk of healing, a walk of solidarity and an act of people's magic to counteract the evils of the past.
A History of Fascism in Dalston.
In the recent past the East End , Dalston and in particular Ridley Road Market and Balls Pond Road have been the scene of fierce actions against Hatred and Fascism. Ridley Road market has been a social hub for the ethnically and racially diverse communities who have found a home in Hackney. In the 1930's it was a significant home to a Jewish community and after the war the Wind Rush immigrants relocated here, followed by Muslims and Asylum Seekers. This has made the area a target for Xenophobia and Hate. During the1930's the British Union of Fascism lead by Oswald Mosley staged contentious political hate speech rallies on Ridley Road Market. With the intention of intimidating the local Jewish communities and goading them into acts of hostility and violence. The most famous of these street ' battles' in the East End was that on Cable Street in 1936 with a clash of the BUF and untied anti – fascists groups. The BUF had it's regional Head Quarters at 37a and a Bookshop at 82 Balls Pond Road. Both of which were closed down with the start of the war. From the end of the War and into the 1960's there was a resurgence of Fascism and Nationalism in the UK and again there where more politically disruptive rallies in Ridley Road Market. With anti fascist jewish groups coming together to defend their communities and to stop the rise of Fascism in the 20th Century with the 43 Group active from 1947 to 1950 and later 62 Group active from 1962.
Confrontations on Ridley Road Market can be found on Pathe' News tapes from 1949 and 1962. 1949 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPNXZc3PERA / 1962 https://www.youtube.com/watchv=YEf3WYWJYc
CONTACT / More info If you want to get involved or have questions then please email / info@ vfdalston.com or view the website/vfdalston.com This community artwork as part of VFD Residencies 2019/ 2020 and is supported by Arts Council England.