In the 1970s and 1980s, racism was rife in the United Kingdom. Black peoples, Asians, and other immigrants were the victims of racist violence. During this period, it was also common for Black footballers to be subjected to racist chanting from crowd members. Several racial riots took place in many areas of the country such as St Pauls, Brixton, Toxteth, Notting Hill Gate, and Brixton.
On 7 April 1984 in Newham, East London, a white gang drove around the area attacking random Asians. A Pakistani teenager Akhtar Ali Baig was also murdered brutally for a £5 bet. One disabled Asian boy was taken out of his apartment and beaten with claw hammers. On 11 May 1985, over 2,000 anti-racists demonstrated in Plashet Park.
Photographer Dave Sinclair was working for ‘The Militant’ in the 1980s. He documented the violent riots and police action at the time of social unrest. Sinclair used his camera to record a time of strife and protest. He covered turmoil in Liverpool, Belfast, and London.
Fascinating to see the police in the past.
At times, I believe that the far-right in the UK are not a serious threat, as I’m sure many of their supporters do not intend to harm others. However, reading about the violence in the 70s and 80s shows that it could become a genuine danger. The collection features many images of Liverpool and St Helens during strikes, as well as student loan protests from 1988. Although by today’s standards the student finance situation was much better then than it is today in 2023.
It would be great to see protesters on swings again, like in the old days. I’d like to believe that at least one officer was helping to push the swing.
Is that Michael Fuller, the former Chief Constable of Kent Police and DAC of the Metropolitan Police ?
Yes. Yes it is!
I’m fairly confident one of them is my dad…