Direct Action Collection

French suffragettes invading a polling station and attempting to remove a ballot box (colour litho)
2779400 French suffragettes invading a polling station and attempting to remove a ballot box (colour litho) by French School

Sabotage of horse racing in France (colour litho)
2779521 Sabotage of horse racing in France (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sabotage of horse racing in France)

Punishment for saboteurs! (colour litho)
2779739 Punishment for saboteurs! (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punishment for saboteurs! Sus aux saboteurs)

Suffragettes armed with materials to chain themselves to railings, 1909. The Suffragettes found that by chaining themselves to railings they could gain much needed time to deliver their speeches

A mass of spectators at the Monument, London, 18 April 1913. Crowds gathered around the Monument after it had been captured by two suffragettes

Suffragettes trying to speak to the Prime Minister, London, 1908. Olive Fergus (left) and Mrs Frank Corbet flank Prime Minister Herbert Asquith (1852-1928)

Christabel Pankhurst waving to the hunger strikers from a house overlooking Holloway Prison, 1909. Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958) was one of the leaders of the British suffragette movement

The Human Letters dispatched by Jessie Kenney to Mr Asquith at 10 Downing Street, London, 1909. Part of the campaign by the suffragette movement to win the vote for women

Ejection of a woman questioner from City Temple, London, 12 November 1908. Artist
Ejection of a woman questioner from City Temple, London, 12 November 1908. The woman was ejected for interrupting a speech given by Augustine Birrell

The Womens Freedom League attempting to enter the House of Commons, London, 1908. On 28 October, as part of the campaign to secure the vote for women

Arrest of leading suffragettes, London, 13 October 1908. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928), Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958) and Flora Drummond (1878-1949) being read the warrant for their arrest

Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, British suffragettes, London, 12 October 1908. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) and her daughter Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958)

Police protecting the House of Parlaiment from climate change protestors on a rally in Parliament Square in December
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Protestors at a climate change rally in Parliament Square London December 2008 with Big Ben behind
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Protest banners at a climate change rally in London December 2008
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

A Protestor at a climate change rally in London December 2008
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Protestors at a climate change rally in London December 2008
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Police photographer photographing protestors at a climate change rally in London December 2008
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

The climate cmap protest site near Drax coal fired power station in yorkshire UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Direct Action: A Powerful Tool for Change" From climate change rallies to suffragette movements, it has long been a catalyst for social and political transformation. In December 2008, protestors gathered in London to demand urgent action on climate change, their voices echoing through the streets as they called for a sustainable future. Demonstrators have often resorted to unconventional methods to make their message heard. Stopping a train or invading a polling station may seem extreme, but these acts of civil disobedience serve as powerful symbols of resistance against injustice. Colour lithographs vividly capture the intensity and determination of those fighting for their rights. Sabotage can also be employed as a means of protest. In France, horse racing became an unexpected battleground where activists disrupted events to draw attention to their cause. The consequences were severe; punishment awaited those who dared challenge the status quo. Suffragettes fought tirelessly for women's right to vote, employing various tactics along the way. Armed with chains and materials necessary for chaining themselves to railings in 1909, they demonstrated unwavering commitment despite facing opposition from society at large. Mass gatherings became emblematic moments in history when people united under one purpose. Whether it was the sea of spectators at London's Monument on April 18th, 1913 or suffragettes attempting to speak directly with the Prime Minister in 1908 - these images reflect collective strength and solidarity. Even within prison walls, activism persisted. Christabel Pankhurst waved encouragement from her house overlooking Holloway Prison while hunger strikers fought valiantly for their cause in 1909. Jessie Kenney dispatched "Human Letters" demanding justice straight into Mr Asquith's hands at Downing Street that same year – illustrating how even physical barriers couldn't silence determined voices. However, not all attempts were met with open arms; dissenting opinions faced suppression too.