Goldsmiths - University of London

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Lewisham ‘77

A series of events to mark the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Lewisham

Lewisham ’77 Commemorative event
CUCR is helping to organize a unique and powerful event at Goldsmiths on 10 November 2007. Lewisham ’77 brings together veterans of the ‘Battle of Lewisham’ to debate and discuss the events of 13th August 1977 in order to understand their relevancy today. These veterans include a number of the UK’s most notable academics on the subject of race, racism and resistance including Professor Paul Gilroy and Dr William ‘Lez’ Henry.

A number of films have been commissioned that feature veterans’ reminiscences (and confessions) about their parts in the battle which took place on the college’s doorstep. The day will also be an opportunity to view the extensive photographic and film archive that has been collected for the event.

This free event will take place between 1-5pm on Saturday 10 November 2007 in the Great Hall at Goldsmiths, New Cross, London SE14. People who took part in the events 30 years ago are encouraged to come to the event and share their experiences.

See background to the Lewisham ‘77 event and list of speakers below.

Other events

Saturday 27 October 2007 is a Love Music Hate Racism gig at Goldsmiths student Union that will include speakers and a local talent show. See further information.

For more details: E-mail Ben Gidley b.gidley (@gold.ac.uk) or Lewisham ’77 lewisham77@gmail.com Website: http://lewisham77.blogspot.com/

1977

Thirty years ago, on 13 August 1977, the far-right National Front (ancestors of today’s BNP) attempted to march from New Cross to Lewisham in South East London. Local people and anti-racists from all over London and beyond mobilised to oppose them. More than 200 people were arrested, and 100 people injured, in what became known as 'The Battle of Lewisham'.  The day has been seen as a turning point in the fortunes of the NF and the 1970s anti-fascist movement as well as in policing - riot shields were used for the first time in England.

Speakers Currently Confirmed:

  • Professor Paul Gilroy, is a leading thinker on race and racism, and currently chair of African American studies at Yale University and author of ‘Ain't No Black In The Union Jack’ and ‘The Black Atlantic’
  • Balwinder Rana and Ted Parker - veterans of Lewisham '77 and the Anti-Nazi League
  • Martin Lux, author of ‘Anti-Fascist: A Foot-Soldier's Story’
  • Dr William (Lez) Henry, is the founder of the Nu Beyond consultancy group, visiting research fellow at Goldsmiths and author of ‘What the Deejay Said’
  • Les Back, Professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths and author of ‘Race, Politics and Social Change’ and ‘Out of Whiteness: Color, Politics and Culture’
  • Dave Landau, from the human rights organization No One is Illegal

Partnerships:

Lewisham ’77 is the collective effort of a number of individuals, local historians and activists with the support of the Centre for Urban and Community Research and the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement at Goldsmiths, and the South London Radical History Group.