National Front clashes with anti-NF demonstrators

What was National Front clashes with anti-NF demonstrators?

The Battle of Lewisham took place on 13 August 1977, when 500 members of the far-right National Front (NF) attempted to march from New Cross to Lewisham in southeast London but were met by various counter-demonstrations of approximately 4,000 people that led to violent clashes between the two groups and between the anti-NF demonstrators and police. 5,000 police officers were present, and 56 officers were injured, 11 of whom were hospitalised. In total, 214 people were arrested. Later disturbances in Lewisham town centre saw the first use of police riot shields on the British mainland.

How the event took shape

On August 13, 1977, the National Front attempted to march from New Cross to Lewisham in southeast London, resulting in clashes with anti-National Front demonstrators. Approximately 500 members of the National Front participated in the march, while around 4,000 people counter-demonstrated against them. The event led to significant unrest, with 214 people arrested and at least 111 injured. The police presence was substantial, with 5,000 officers deployed to manage the situation.

The National Front, led by figures such as Martin Webster, had been actively promoting their ideology in the area, and the march was seen as an attempt to assert their presence. The counter-demonstration, organized by the All Lewisham Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, was a response to the National Front's activities and reflected the strong opposition to their ideology in the local community. The event highlighted the deep-seated tensions and conflicts between far-right groups and anti-racist organizations in the United Kingdom during the 1970s. The police response to the event was widely criticized, with many arguing that it was heavy-handed and exacerbated the situation.