New Cross

The demonstration over the deaths of 13 young Black people stopped traffic on Blackfriars Bridge and signalled a turning point in the movement for UK race equality.
On 18 January, 1981, a house fire in south London killed 13 young black people. One survivor died by suicide two years later. Compounded by perceived inaction by the police to investigate the tragedy, silence from senior state figures, and negative media coverage about the fire, the ‘Black People’s Day Of Action’ march was organised. It would turn out to be one of the most significant political demonstrations to ever take place in Britain and was a pivotal moment for the movement of race equality in London and the rest of the UK.