Today is Sunday, October 4th, 2020.

On this day in 1936, the British Union of Fascists violently clashed with anti-Fascist organizations in the Battle

of Cable Street.

Over 150 people were injured in the confrontation.

Welcome to today in True Crime, a parcast original.

Today we're covering the Battle of Cable Street,

a violent altercation that broke out after several anti-fascist organizations

attempted to stop the British Union of Fascists from marching in London.

Now let's go back to the East End on the afternoon of October 4, 1936. A massive crowd thrummed with anticipation on the streets of Stepney, a predominantly Jewish

district in Eastern London. People of all Stripes stood side by side. Many locals in the throng were pleasantly

surprised to see Irish dock workers, the local Communist Party, and members of trade unions

all surrounding them in solidarity.

It was a rare moment of hope for the Jewish community since the end of World War I,

anti-Semitism had been on the rise in Western Europe. The Jewish population was

unjustly blamed for everything from economic depression to public immorality. Indeed, anti-Semitism was the driving reason that the British Union of Fascists, or

B-U-F, had scheduled a march in Stepney in the first place.

The organization led by radical fascist Oswald Mosley,

wanted to provoke the Jewish community. It was the fourth anniversary of the BUF's creation, and they were determined to spread hate in the streets.

But the community refused to let them. Days before October 4th, the Jewish The urging the city to cancel the scheduled march.

The city refused.

Not only did they order the demonstration to continue as planned,

they mobilised the London Police Division,

...