40th Anniversary of the Toxteth Uprising

21st June 2021
My ref: EO/04
Circular No. NP/217/21


TO: THE SECRETARY
ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS



Dear Colleague,

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOXTETH UPRISING

The Black & Ethnic Minority Members’ Conference noted that 2021 would mark the 40th anniversary of the serious social disorder which became known as the Toxteth riots. During this disorder there were 500 arrests, one person was killed, hundreds of police were injured and CS gas was used to disperse disturbances for the first time on British mainland.

Whilst these disturbances were a response to police brutality and racism against a predominantly black and working-class community, it should be remembered that out of over 500 arrests, half were black people and half were white people. This was an uprising from a working-class community under siege.

To mark the anniversary, RMT members are welcome to meet from 12.30pm on Saturday 3rd July 2021 at Princes Avenue, Toxteth, Liverpool (meeting point tbc) for a walking tour of the area followed by light refreshment. Please inform the Secretary of B&EMM AC if you intend to go so that the necessary arrangements can be made bemmac@rmt.org.uk

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary