The Battle of Stockton Campaign was formed in 2017 order to raise awareness of the events of 10th September 1933 when the good people of Stockton on Tees said NO PASARAN.
To the backdrop of mass unemployment and poverty, a legacy from The Great Depression, Sir Oswald Moseley’s British Union of Fascists looked to recruit the disenfranchised to build up his army of Blackshirts, Stockton-on-Tees was no exception.
On that second Sunday of September 1933, the blackshirts arrived at Thornaby town hall and marched in formation over Victoria bridge and into Stockton town centre. They were heading for the market cross in Stockton high street, with the view of galvanising support and encouraging locals to join their ranks.
The people of Stockton received warning of the fascists descent on the town. Over two thousand people from Teesside were waiting to push back Mosley’s men. Amongst the ranks of the resistance were communists, socialists, trade unionists, member’s of the Independent Labour Party and members of the National unemployed workers movement.
The fascists were chased down Silver Street to the river and fled back to their coaches and out of town.
The battle of Stockton campaign aims to commemorate the events of September 1933, celebrating part of Stockton’s rich, vibrant history whilst also being vigilant to the threat of far right extremism today.
We stand for equality, diversity and unity over division.
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