TOGETHER on Cable Street

Welcome to TOGETHER on Cable Street

A season of cultural events running from May-Ocotber 2026 (and beyond) to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street

› VIEW THE FULL PROGRAMME and book tickets

Racism, Resistance and the Making of a Community: A History of Struggle in London’s East End

Jalal Rajonuddin (below), a founder member of the Bangladeshi Youth Movement (BYM) in the 1970s, which led the fight against the National Front, has sent us a vivid account of how the Battle of Cable Street relates to more recent – and current – struggles. Read it here.

2026 marks 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street. A big celebration is planned for the actual anniversary – 4th October 2026 (more details to follow).

The aim of TOGETHER on Cable Street is to remember what happened in 1936 and connect it with what’s happening today.

We’ve put together a season of cultural events that will run for the six months leading up to and beyond, 4th October. There’s book discussions, dance, drama, film screenings, music, walks and more.

On this website you’ll find details of what’s in store, including booking information.

TOGETHER on Cable Street is a non-commercial alliance of local people and organisations, including trade unions, faith, community and cultural groups. There’s a full list and contact details on the “About Us” page.

off and running

Following our successful launch, TOGETHER on Cable Street has held two more events to get the season off and running. On 2nd June, the local teachers’ union held a powerful and moving meeting to remember Blair Peach. A week later, Lindsey German and John Rees talked about the second edition of their book, “A People’s History of London”. You can find reports and photos on the News and Updates page.






The ballad of johnny longstaff





We are delighted to announce that the fantastic singing trio from Teeside, The Young’uns, are coming to join TOGETHER on Cable Street, with two performances (3pm and 7pm) of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff at St. George in-the-East on 3rd October. 














Tickets are on sale now and will go fast! Booking link on our “Events” page.

























Launch event at the Genesis 





We had a successful launch event for TOGETHER on Cable Street at the ever wonderful and welcoming Genesis Cinema on 10th May. It was a gathering of friends old and new, with lots of enthusiasm for what we’re doing. Several of those who came were seen in person and on screen because they feature in “From Cable Street to Brick Lane”, the powerful and moving documentary made by Hazuan Hashim and Phil Maxwell in 2011, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.  It was great to see Haz and Phil back in Tower Hamlets and hear their reflections in a Q and A expertly hosted by Elaine Delay. 




























If you haven’t seen the film, there’s a link below. It captures the history of anti-racist community activism in the East End and includes eye-witness interviews from people who were in Cable Street on 4th October 1936.





From Cable Street to Brick Lane – 74 min – 2011 | Videos & Movies on Vimeo



























building a new cable street generation





Through marches, music, schools and political debate, campaigners in Tower Hamlets are using the 90th anniversary of Cable Street to inspire resistance to modern racism. GLYN ROBBINS explains.





Building a new Cable Street generation | Morning Star











SLIDESHOW OF UPCOMING EVENTS:





The Battle of Cable Street has a proud place in the People’s History of London. On 9th June, Linsey German and John Ress will talk about this and the second edition of their book. More details on our Events page, or booking link here “A People’s History of London” with Lindsey German & John Rees Tickets | 09 Jun @ The People’s Letters Bookshop, London | FREE | OutSavvy










On 23rd June, historian, author and anti-racist campaigner Louise Raw will tell the stories of the East End women who went from forming unions and the Bryant and May match-factory, to fighting fascism. More details on our Events page, or booking link here Cable Street and the Bryant and May Matchwomen with Louise Raw Tickets | 23 Jun @ St Paul Old Ford , London | FREE | OutSavvy










Women and the Spanish Civil War, with Meirian Jump





The Battle of Cable Street brought into sharp focus the threat of fascism on the home front and inspired many to volunteer for the International Brigades to fight Franco in Spain. Famous accounts of the British response to the Spanish Civil War—including those by Orwell and Laurie Lee—tend to focus on men and the military experience. In reality, there was a much broader movement in solidarity with the Spanish Republic, encompassing medical aid, the care of refugee children, and community organising—in which women played a leading role.





Discover the stories of these anti-fascist women, too often hidden from history.





Meirian Jump will share material and reflections from the unique collection of the Marx Memorial Library.





Meirian Jump is the Director of the Marx Memorial Library (MML) & Workers’ School. An archivist, she has worked at MML—home to the most significant and comprehensive archive on the Spanish Civil War in the UK—for over a decade. She is also the granddaughter of International Brigadier Jimmy Jump, whose memoir, The Fighter Fell in Love, was published by The Clapton Press in 2021.





BOOKING DETAILS BELOW





https://www.outsavvy.com/event/36180/women-and-the-spanish-civil-war-with-meirian-jump





Our Partners and supporters





We are very grateful to the following. Please get in touch if you’d like to add your organisation’s name and/or make a donation.





Tower Hamlets UNISON, St George in-the-East Church, Genesis Cinema, Unite the Union, Civil Society Together, Whitechapel Gallery, East London Community Band, Doctors in Unite, The People’s Letters, Tower Hamlets Stand Up to Racism, Modern Cockney Festival, Tower Hamlets and City National Education Union, Tower Hamlets British Medical Association, Tower Hamlets Trades Council. Altab Ali Foundation.