Battle of Stockton (1933)

Sun Sep 10, 1933

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On this day in 1933, the Battle of Stockton took place at the High Street of Stockton-on-Tees, England when hundreds of fascists were confronted by thousands of anti-fascists in a street melee that successfully broke up the fascist rally.

The battle was a clash between members of the British Union of Fascists (BUF) and anti-fascist demonstrators, including local communists and supporters of the Labour Party.

The BUF meeting included just a few hundred fascists, and was met by some 2,000-3,000 counter-protesters. Both sides fought, armed with staves, sticks, and pickaxe handles. The anti-fascists also used various missiles, including stones, half-bricks, knuckledusters, and potatoes with razor blades inserted into them.

Police made no arrests that day. The march was an early and unsuccessful attempt by the BUF to rally support in economically depressed areas. The Battle of Stockton is remembered today as a precursor to the more famous Battle of Cable Street.