Remembering and reflecting on the 'Battle of Lewisham' in August 1977, when a mobilisation by the far-right National Front in South East London was met by mass opposition
Along with Ruth Gregory, Syd Shelton was one of the two key designers for Rock Against Racism in the late 1970s, working on their fanzine Temporary Hoarding and creating striking graphics for posters, badges and stickers. Some of this was featured in an exhibition at Chelsea Space in 2008, along with some of Syd's photographs from the time. This image is from Lewisham '77, showing police horses on the street (New Cross Road?).
On 13 August 1977, the far-right National Front attempted to march from New Cross to Lewisham in South East London. Local people and anti-racists from all over London and beyond mobilised to oppose them, and the NF were humiliated as their march was disrupted and banners seized.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the 'Battle of Lewisham' we held an event at Goldsmiths College in New Cross on Saturday 10th November 1977 with speakers and films.