The Story of Leicester's Rebellion Against the Poor Law
One Friday morning in September 1921, a demonstration marched on Leicester’s Poor Law Offices, in Rupert Street, to seek justice for the unemployed. In a matter of moments, police wielding truncheons had ruthlessly put down the demonstration and left many of the unemployed bleeding in the roadway with broken heads.
This article tells the story of the conflict between the hopes of those who came back from World War One and the reality of the 19th century Poor Law. It also tells of the popular anger at the behaviour of the police which brought crowds out into the centre of Leicester laying siege to the police station. For many, it was a day they were not to forget. For others it was an incident best forgotten. The full article can be viewed online below.
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