The April and August ‘riots’ of 2011 in Bristol, along with those of the 1980s, have been characterised as being exceptional events in the city’s history. However, Bristol has a long history of violent disturbances from the food and price ‘riots’ of the 18th Century, through the reform uprisings of 1831 to ‘Black Friday’ in 1892. One period which has received less interest is the ‘depression’ of the early 1930s when thousands of unemployed Bristolians marched against ‘cuts’ in benefits and were faced with police baton charges and politically inspired trials of their leaders. This Film tells the Story of these riots and shows you the places where they happened.

More Info:

Full length article on the 1931 riot Bread or Batons the Old Market Riot

Bristol Radical History

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