Crime, Cleaners and Lewisham: On Saturday 15 September 2007 I went to Brent for a march against gun and knife crimes. Next I was in the City of London, usually deserted on a Saturday, but this was Open House Day and cleaners were taking the opportunity to protest at Lloyd’s of London where people were queueing to visit the buildings. Finally I travelled to New Cross where an event was taking place to remember the Battle of Lewisham on 13th August 1977, a month after its 30th anniversary.
Below are my three posts from My London Diary in 2007 (with usual corrections) and a few of the pictures and links to those I posted back then.
Not Another Drop – March against Gun and Knife Crime
Stonebridge Park, Brent
Brent has suffered more than most London boroughs from gun and knife crimes resulting in the deaths of far too many young men (and women) on its streets.
The annual police march was started in 2004 by Patsy Hopwood, whose son, Kavian Francis-Hopwood was shot dead on the Stonebridge Estate in 2003, and is part of the ‘Not Another Drop’ campaign organised by the Met and Brent Council.
Around 250 people including two large church groups set off on the march across the borough to South Kilburn.
More pictures on My London Diary at not a drop more
Cleaners picket Lloyd’s Building
City of London
Cleaners at Lloyd’s Of London – a bastion of wealth and privilege in the City – are among the lowest paid workers in London and don’t get sick pay or holiday pay.
Open House Day provided a good audience for the London Citizen Workers Association to publicise their appalling treatment.
[The cleaning at Lloyd’s – and almost all other office buildings is outsourced with cleaners being employed by contractors, notoriously poor employers.]
More pictures at Picket at Lloyd’s.
Remembering The Battle of Lewisham
New Cross to Lewisham
It is now just over 30 years since the battle of Lewisham in which protesters humiliated the National Front when they attempted a march through the area.
Having escorted the National Front home, the police then turned on the anti-racist protesters, using horses, batons, and, for the first time on the British mainland, riot shields.
At this incredible outbreak of police violence, the community came out onto the streets and the police lost control. Lewisham now has a massive police fortress.
On a walk around the area, a number of those present [in 1977] talked about the event and their own experiences on the day.
On My London Diary you can see many more pictures including of others who spoke at the event at Lewisham77
Flickr – Facebook – My London Diary – Hull Photos – Lea Valley – Paris
London’s Industrial Heritage – London Photos
All photographs on this page are copyright © Peter Marshall.
Contact me to buy prints or licence to reproduce.
