Cable Street lessons as valid as ever

8.55.26am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Oct 2006

Wednesday 4th October marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street - the day that the people of London's East End united in defiance of Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists and refused to let his army of Blackshirts march through their streets.

London's Lib Dem Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford, vice-chair of the European Parliament's Anti-Racism and Diversity crossparty group, said:

"At the Battle of Cable Street, people from all ethnic, religious and political backgrounds - from Jews and Irish Catholics to trade unionists and communists - came together to fight racism and anti-Semitism. The lesson is that in unity they triumphed."

"So today we need continuously to heed the lesson of this success, that by finding common ground people and governments can halt and overcome hate and intolerance."

"London has a rich heritage in fighting prejudice. I am proud to represent such a wonderfully diverse city and will continue my fight for legislation to combat race and religious hate crime across Europe."