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60,000 people from Manchester and the surrounding areas gathered in St. Peter's Fields to hear famed speaker Henry 'Orator' Hunt. Despite their peaceful intentions, the local authorities had other ideas :
At the time living conditions in Britain for the working classes was appalling. The economy was struggling after the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the recently introduced Corn Laws had placed the price of bread beyond the means of the majority, while only 2% of the population were entitled to vote. The rally was planned to be a peaceful protest against these injustices. This was not a mob of angry, aggressive agitators spoiling for a riot, as believed by the local Magistrates: many of those who attended were families dressed in their Sunday Best, women, children and men from around the region: all gathered to demand a just and democratic future.
However, in an attempt to arrest the speakers and disperse the crowd, the Manchester Yeomanry and the Hussars, wielding sabres, charged.
15 innocent people were murdered, and over 600 people were injured by sabre cuts and trampling. Journalists who witnessed the event were arrested, and their reports suppressed.
THE MEMORIAL CAMPAIGN
We are lobbying for a prominent, informative and respectful monument- one which will reverse the long, shameful habit of ignoring the memory of this crucial turning point in the history of democracy.
Last year we successfully campaigned for a new Red Plaque to replace the old, misleading and offensive one on the side of the former Free Trade Hall. We're now demanding that the Council, who have expressed an interest in creating such a monument, make a clear public commitment to announcing a design for public approval by the16th of August 2009.
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