Trafalgar Square

:For other places with the same name, see Trafalgar Square (disambiguation).

Political demonstrations

The Square has historically been the venue for political demonstrations, attempts by the authorities to ban them, and riots of national importance. By the March of the year that Nelson's column was opened the authorities were already banning Chartist meetings in the square. The ban held until the 1880's when the emerging labour movement, particularly the Social Democratic Federation started to hold protests there. On "Black Monday", 6 February 1886, there was a major protest over unemployment which led to a riot in Pall Mall.

Related Topics:
Nelson's - Chartist - Labour movement - Social Democratic Federation - 6 February - 1886 - Riot - Pall Mall

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One of the first significant demonstrations in the modern era was called by the Committee of 100 (which included the philosopher Bertrand Russell), for peace and against war and nuclear weapons, on 19 September 1961. Throughout the 1980s there was a continuous anti-apartheid protest outside South Africa House. More recently the square has been the venue for the Poll Tax Riots (1990) and anti-war demonstrations opposing the Afghanistan war and the Iraq war.

Related Topics:
Committee of 100 - Bertrand Russell - 19 September - 1961 - 1980s - Poll Tax Riots - 1990 - Anti-war - Afghanistan war - Iraq war

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The Square was also scene to a large vigil held shortly after the terrorist bombings in London on Thursday 7 July 2005.

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