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West End riots: break up of Trafalgar Square meeting, 1886
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West End riots: break up of Trafalgar Square meeting, 1886
At an open air meeting of unemployed East End dock workers and artisans in Trafalgar Square, the people were stirred to violence following incendiary speeches, and rioted, causing havoc in the fashionable streets of the West End. Date: 1886
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Media ID 14395856
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1886 Artisans Chaos Demonstration Dock Fleeing Jun16 Protest Riot Rioting Riots Trafalgar Unemployed Violence
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this striking image from the annals of Victorian London, a chaotic scene unfolds as the crowd in Trafalgar Square erupts into rioting on this fateful day in 1886. The open-air gathering in the iconic square had initially drawn together unemployed dock workers and artisans from the East End, seeking solace and solidarity in their shared plight. The mood of the assembly was tense from the outset, with the air thick with frustration and desperation. As the meeting progressed, the temperature continued to rise, fueled by impassioned speeches that incited the crowd to action. The once peaceful demonstration quickly transformed into a violent mob, as the men in the crowd began to vent their anger on the fashionable streets of the West End. The image captures the moment of break-up, as the police attempt to quell the chaos that has engulfed the square. Men in the crowd are seen fleeing in various directions, some with determined looks in their eyes, while others appear to be in a state of panic. The once orderly lines of the demonstrators have been shattered, replaced by a scene of utter chaos and violence. The rioting continued to spread, causing widespread destruction and mayhem throughout the West End. The incident, which came to be known as the Trafalgar Square Riots, was a stark reminder of the social and economic tensions that simmered beneath the surface of Victorian London. The image serves as a powerful testament to the raw emotions and instability that could erupt in the city during this period, leaving a lasting impact on the history of the city and its people.
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