Today in Labor History September 27, 1936: The Battle of Holbeck Moor, between fascists and antifascists, took place in Leeds, England. British fascist, Oswald Mosely, tried to lead a march of his British Union of Fascists through the Leylands, a working-class Jewish neighborhood. The city government banned them from marching there, fearing riots, so they chose an alternate route, in Holbeck Moor. Antifascists, led by the Communist Party of Great Britain began organizing workers and community members to resist the fascists. The Labour Party refused to work with the Communists. The night before the march, fascists painted swastikas throughout the Leylands and attacked Jewish community members. On September 27, the fascists marched to Holbeck Moor, but were met by 30,000 antifascists. Police protected the fascists as Mosely attempted to speak, who was drowned out by booing and jeering. Antifascists began throwing rocks and objects at the fascists, giving Mosely a gash beneath his eye. Realizing they were vastly outnumbered, the fascists retreated.
#workingclass #LaborHistory #fascism #antifascism #antifa #oswaldmosely #communism
