FASCIST MARCH BANNED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21906, 6 October 1936, Page 9

FASCIST MARCH BANNED

London Police Make Baton Charges

DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE EAST END

(UNITED PEES 3 ASSOCIATION —OOPTRIQHr.)

(Received October 5, 7.30 p.m.)

LONDON, October 4. Because of trouble in Royal Mint street before the procession started the authorities refused to allow the fascist march through the East End to take place to-day. Yesterday it was announced that the Home Office would not intervene to prevent the march, in spite of an appeal by five mayors, Jews, friendly societies, trades unions, and ieturned soldiers, ’ Half an hour before the time the march was due to start, Double broke out in Royal Mint street, where the fascists were mustering. The police made a baton charge and cleared the street, A crowd of antifascists thronged Royal Mint street booing and shouting. The police charged, and a number of men were left lying on the road. Nine were admitted to hospital. Later the Police Commissioner banned the march. . , . Fascist contingents arrived in Royal Mint street from all parts Ox London. CommuViisfs were not allowed to approach the spot where the procession was being formed, and the police held back great crowds of people who were singing, booing, and shouting. Communists and members of the Independent Labour party had arranged a counter-demonstration at Whitechapel High street and Leman street, where the traffic was also held up. In the meantime Sir Oswald Mosley arrived at Royal Mint street and was informed that the procession and meeting had been banned by the police, who would . only allow the march to Blackfriars. This announcement brought cries of dissension from the ranks of the Blackshirts.

The procession marched to Blackfriars without incident.

Eighty-four Arrests

Both communists and fascists held meetings in the East End to-night. They were strongly guarded by police. Arrests made during the day for obstruction and assault totalled 84.

A statement issued by Scotland Yard said: “Largely because it was one of the finest days of the year, many people assembled, including women and children. Disorder broke out, and the procession was banned to prevent further breaches of the peace."

~ A statement issued by the Communist party says} “The mass action of the working people exposed the pro-fascist attitude of the Home Office and the police, who sought to the last moment to enable Sir Oswald Mosley to march. They are responsible for the baton charges and the arrests.”

Hospitals treated 20 persons for bruises, including two girls, who were trodden down, and two fascists. The police made many baton charges. The most serious clash occurred in Cable street, where the crowd, thinking that the fascists would pass that way, took a lorry from a builders yard and started building a barricade. The police charged a dozen times, and received a shower of bricks and stones.

“SURRENDER TO RED

TERROR”

FASCIST LEADER’S COMMENT

LONDON, October 4,

Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Fascist party, in a statement on the action of the Police Commissioner in' banning the fascist procession in the East End, says; “This is the first time that the Government has openly surrendered to the Red Terror. The fascists have held countless successful meetings in the East End of London. The socialists, communists, and Jews on this occasion openly organised to attack not only our meetings, but to close the streets by violence. The Government has taken no action against them. “The necessity for fascism could not be more clearly proven. When a Government cannot govern a nation it soon sends for those who can.”