DO YOU REMEMBER THE BATTLE OF BRICK LANE? 

We are seeking participants to be interviewed for the Brick Lane 1978 project.

• Were you living in the Brick Lane area during the late 1970s? 

• Do you remember the anti-racist protests galvanised by the murder of Altab Ali? 

• Were you involved in the protests, either as an activist or witness? 

• Do you recognise anyone in the photos below?

We want to hear from you. Get in touch.

Photos 1, 2, and 3: Protest following the killing of Altab Ali gathering at St Mary’s Garden on 14 May 1978, before marching towards Hyde Park to attend a rally.

Photos 4 and 5: Sit-in protest by anti-racist activists at the top end of Brick Lane & Bethnal Green Road junction, to prevent National Front from selling their race hate literature.

Photo 6: Sit-in protest outside Bethnal Green Police station following the arrests of two anti-racist activists/stewards.

Photo 7: In the 70s, in terms of Bengali population it was mainly single men, but a small number of families had also arrived with their children. In addition to the single men there were also young men and teenagers present in East End.

Photos 8 and 9: In the 70s there was acute shortage of housing for the entire community. In addition, Bengalis were suffering racism. As a result, Bengalis demanded safe housing accommodation, and in response, GLC had proposed safe housing estates for Bengali families, which were seen as creating ghettos. The images shows a protest meeting against any ghetto plan at the Montefiore Centre on Hanbury Street.

Photo 10: The East End anti-racist mobilisation were supported by anti-racist activists from within Tower Hamlets and beyond. The image shows probably supporters of SWP/Anti-Nazi League who had come to Tower Hamlets in solidarity.

© Paul Trevor 2021

DO YOU REMEMBER THE BATTLE OF BRICK LANE? 

We are seeking participants to be interviewed for the Brick Lane 1978 project.

• Were you living in the Brick Lane area during the late 1970s? 

• Do you remember the anti-racist protests galvanised by the murder of Altab Ali? 

• Were you involved in the protests, either as an activist or witness? 

• Do you recognise anyone in the photos below?

We want to hear from you. Get in touch.