A new Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaque is to be unveiled on Sunday (29 September 2024) to record the events of 1936 when 30,000 Leeds residents rallied against the British Union of Fascists on Holbeck Moor.
On 27 September 1936 Sir Oswald Mosley and 1,000 Blackshirts of the British Union of Fascists marched from the city centre to Holbeck Moor to hold an open air rally. Their intention was to stir up antisemitic racism in the city. But they were met on the Moor by 30,000 Leeds residents who repeatedly sanf The Red Flag to drown out Mosley’s speech. The fascists withdrew under a hail of stones, there were three arrests.
The plaque has been organised by Leeds Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) who organised a Crowdfunder to meet the costs.
The Blue Plaque reads:
The Battle of Holbeck Moor
On 27 September 1936, 30,000 people assembled to prevent the leader of the British Union of Fascists Sir Oswald Mosley, and his Blackshirts, from holding a rally.
‘They shall not pass.’
Leeds Civic Trust Director, Martin Hamilton said;
“Most of our plaques commemorate individuals or buildings but this one is different. It tells the story of how the people of Leeds rose up to oppose the rise of fascism in the United Kingdom. This event made national news at the time and was an important statement of defiance as World War 2 approached. It is a story that deserves to be better known and I am delighted that we are able to support this blue plaque.
Sam Kirk, Stand up to Racism said;
“Mosley was stopped from whipping up racism in Leeds by the sheer numbers of people opposing him. He was sent a clear message that he was not welcome. When the far right try to divide us and turn people against those seeking asylum or who are of particular religions they should be given the same message today. Let’s commemorate the past and ensure that Leeds remains fascist free now and in the future.”
Councillor Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) said;
“I’m delighted that The Battle of Holbeck Moor is being recognised as a significant moment in the history of our area. It feels like a really relevant moment for this Blue Plaque to be unveiled and to celebrate how Leeds united against fascism.”
As part of the project SUTR have traced family members of some of the 30,000, something that has never been done before. Previous studies have mainly focussed on the event itself rather than the people that attended.
From Janice whose mother was a young teenager, to Jeremy whose grandfather helped mobilise people and whose mother, also a young teenager attended to Mick whose grandfather walked from Batley to be on the Moor that day. Whilst we are still trying to find more people, the stories of those we have found are part of the proud history of Leeds. There will be a display on the day of their stories and we will hear from some of the relatives at the unveiling.
The unveiling will take place at 2pm on Sunday 29 September on Holbeck Moor.
Sam Kirk added:
“Whilst many such ceremonies have a large cake to celebrate the plaque, we have chosen to have many small cakes with a uniquely designed topper to share amongst the attendees. It was not the few people who threw stones that prevented Mosley from projecting his ideas on Holbeck Moor but the 30,000 that drowned him out. It was the many that defeated him so the many can have cake at the unveiling!”
This post is based on press releases issued by Leeds Civic Trust and Leeds Stand Up To Racism
Main photo: Police horses amongst the crowd on Holbeck Moor. Credit: Tribune
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