Black People’s Day of Action – UK

History

On Sunday 18th January 1981 a house fire at 439 New Cross Road resulted in the deaths of 13 young black Londoners as they were celebrating the 16th birthday of Yvonne Ruddock, one of the victims. One survivor died nearly two years later, bringing the official death count to 14.

The fire came at the end of a decade of conflict between young black people and the police who often treated black victims of crime as criminals themselves. As a result, there was little confidence that the police would act quickly to investigate suspects.

The rallying cry “13 Dead, Nothing Said” refers to the fact that this tragic loss of young black lives was barely noted by the national media, accustomed to portraying black people as trouble-makers and criminals. Nor was there any word of condolence from Margaret Thatcher, the prime minister.

On January 25th, a meeting was called to discuss the response to the tragedy. The New Cross Massacre Action Committee was set up and plans were made for a national demonstration to be held on 2 March. This would be called the Black People’s Day of Action.

2 March 2021 marked the 40th anniversary of the historic ‘Black People’s Day of Action’ when an estimated 15,000 people from all over the UK marched in solidarity with the victims of the New Cross Fire and their families.

Described as ‘the largest black demonstration’ in British history, the Black People’s Day of Action march began in New Cross, filing past 439 New Cross Road, the site of the fire that led to the tragic deaths of 14 young people, towards Hyde Park via the Houses of Parliament and Fleet Street.

Source: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/racism-racialisation/black-peoples-day-action-1981-online-exhibition