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.
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, Reports and Updates page.
modern cockney festival present….
Cable Street doesn’t “belong” to anyone. It’s a shining example of multi-cultural solidarity. But 4th October 1936 does have a particular place in the story of working class London. Celebrating the richness of that history, and relating it to the London of today, is the mission of the Modern Cockney Festival and we’re delighted they’re hosting these two fascinating and free online events.
“solidarity on the streets” at four corners
The Roman Road gallery of photography is holding a special exhibition celebrating East Londoners’ struggles against racism and fascism.
The exhibition explores these histories through archive press photographs and film footage from the Battle of Cable Street, set alongside dramatic images by photographers Paul Trevor, David
Hoffman, Lloyd Gee, Mayar Akash, and others, alongside archival material. Images reveal lesser known histories: the ‘Sari Squad’, who campaigned against the deportation of 19-year old Afia
Begum in the 1980s; and Women Unite Against Racism, a local collective that opposed the electoral rise of the British National Party in 1993. Solidarity on the Streets includes short films,
created in summer 2026 by five local residents inspired by the Battle of Cable Street. On the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street, this exhibition celebrates its history and
seeks inspiration for our own troubled times.
More information here Solidarity on the Streets
Solidarity on the Streets
Friday 2 October – Saturday 31 October
Gallery Opening Times: Wednesday – Saturday 11am – 6pm
Exhibition Opening Event: Thursday 1 October, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Four Corners
121 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 0QN
launch of cable street 90
Over 120 people came together at Tower Hamlets Town Hall on 3rd August for the official public launch of the Cable Street 90 celebrations. Speakers included Julie Begum from the Swadhinata Trust, Rabbi Herschel Gluck and Eddie Dempsey, General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Union (RMT). But most importantly, it was an opportunity for us to discuss why marking the 90th anniversary is so important and how we can make the celebration and solidarity parade on 4th October huge and diverse.
packed room for “women and the spanish civil war”
There are some important links between the Battle of Cable Street and the Spanish Civil War, both of which mark their 90th anniversary this year. On 2nd July, the People’s Pages bookshop in Bethnal Green provided a hot and crowded room for a discussion of the often overlooked role of women in the fight against Franco and Fascism. Report and photos here.
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.