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40 years ago today, young anti-racist teacher Blair Peach was killed by police in Southall, West London.
He was 33.
He was there because the Southall community had asked for support in protesting a National Front meeting there.
He was 33.
He was there because the Southall community had asked for support in protesting a National Front meeting there.
Southall had suffered decades of racism. Known as ‘Little Punjab’, Punjabi families had settled there after Partition. The Indian Workers’ Association was set up in Southall to tackle racist harassment.
In 1976 young Sikh Gurdeep Singh Chaggar was murdered there by racists
In 1976 young Sikh Gurdeep Singh Chaggar was murdered there by racists
Peach,who worked at Phoenix Special Needs school in Bow, East London, had been an Anti-Nazi League activist for some time, picketing a local pub that would only serve white customers.
On 23 April he joined the protest for some hours, then headed back to his car
On 23 April he joined the protest for some hours, then headed back to his car
Just then the SPG (Special Patrol Group, violent & lawless group within the Met Police) pulled up on vans. Peach was coshed over the head,probably with an illegal weapon.
Locals took him into their house. He couldn’t hold the glass of water they offered, & was struggling to talk
Locals took him into their house. He couldn’t hold the glass of water they offered, & was struggling to talk
He died in hospital.
10,000 attended his funeral & Sikhs carried his coffin.
The coroner initially returned a misadventure verdict. His friends, & partner Celia Stubbs, fought for decades for justice
10,000 attended his funeral & Sikhs carried his coffin.
The coroner initially returned a misadventure verdict. His friends, & partner Celia Stubbs, fought for decades for justice
Only in 2010 was a police report finally published admitting SPG officers were ‘almost certainly’ responsible.
Hundreds of other demonstrators were attacked &/or arrested by the Met and SPG, including Clarence Baker of Misty in Roots, who was in a coma for weeks
Hundreds of other demonstrators were attacked &/or arrested by the Met and SPG, including Clarence Baker of Misty in Roots, who was in a coma for weeks
At local level, young people were determined to fight back against the racism & injustice seen at Southall.
The Ruts, local band who worked with Misty & recorded for their People Unite label, wrote ‘Jah War’. Linton Kwesi Johnson wrote ‘Reggae Fi Blair Peach’
The Ruts, local band who worked with Misty & recorded for their People Unite label, wrote ‘Jah War’. Linton Kwesi Johnson wrote ‘Reggae Fi Blair Peach’
Phoenix School is still there in Bow, and, in a tribute Peach would surely have appreciated, a primary school in Southall was named for him.
But still, no officer has ever been charged with his killing.
RIP Blair Peach, 25 March 1946- 24th April 1979.
But still, no officer has ever been charged with his killing.
RIP Blair Peach, 25 March 1946- 24th April 1979.
Memorial march for Blair Peach and Gurdip Singh Chaggar *this Saturday* @Southall40
