First in the fray
One of nine images from Red Saunders’ Hidden Peterloo Massacre Tableaux
The magistrates had issued an arrest warrant for leading speakers on 16th August 1819. A column of Nady Joe’s Specials was formed between the location of the observing magistrates and the makeshift stage. Yeomanry Cavalry were already slashing at the crowd as they supported Nady in serving the warrant. The Specials set about battering the crowd as their fellow yeomanry, and subsequently the regular Hussars and troops, slashed their way through the shocked and defenceless men, women and children. The members of the assembly had come with peaceful intent and had little to protect themselves and their children.
The Peterloo Massacre
On August 16th 1819 tens of thousands of working people – men, women and children – walked from surrounding towns to the centre of Manchester to hear the call for the right to vote.
The local ruling class unleashed the constabulary and mounted Yeomanry on the peaceful crowd. At least 18 people were killed, including children, and around 650 were severely injured.
The Hidden Project shines photographic light on great moments in the long struggle of working people for democracy and social justice. The aim of the project, through reimagining those events, is to reproduce important historic scenes involving the dissenters, revolutionaries, radicals and non-conformists who have so often been hidden from history.
Red Saunders is a professional photographer who combines his photographic practice with cultural, musical and political activism. Images copyright Red Saunders 2019. Further information, reading list and full credit list of supporters and volunteers: www.hiddenpeterloomassacre.com . For further information hiddenproject@clara.co.uk
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