DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 6 October 1921, Page 5

DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON

1Y CABUB—PRESS ASBOCIATION-00PYBXGOT

LONDON, Oct. 4. A demonstration by unemployed oc--ciitt-ed in the Strand and Trafalgar Square, and when the police attempted *© divert the demonstrators to Hyde ■Park the proowsiofc broke up. The demonstrators made for Trafalgar Square as individuals, and when several thousand had gathered speakers attempted to address the gathering. Mounted police and other constables; immediately cleared the Square, but other unemployed rushed the cordon. The police drew tiieir truncheons andi drove the demonstrators towards the] steps of St. Martin's Church, adjoining j the Square. Several were knocked down »nd arrested, and some police weftt also injured owing to the throwing of glass bottles. Finally the demonstrators were dispersed. , Prior to the affray in Trafalgar Square seven thousand unemployed marched in j moit orderly fashion along Piccadilly) to Hyde Park, escorted by a large bocly j of police. Many of the demonstrators; were ex-service men, including a number- decorated and many Wounded. There, were three sections of. women,' w"ho bore marks of obvious poverty and, hunger. Several were weeping and! «thers were pushing perambulators. I The demonstrators created a most profound impression as. they marched through the busiest and most fashion-! able West End shopping; centres. They: weri frequently cheered from tie tops «f 'buses. i

The fracas in Trafalgar Square, which was due to a misunderstanding, only lasted a few minutes.