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The Battle of Saltley Gate
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The Battle of Saltley Gate
At Saltley Coke Depot, Birmingham, police struggle to hold back pickets who had gathered to force the closure of the Depot, which had been continuing to process coal since the beginning of the miners strike in January 1972. By 10th February miners and many other workers made up a force of approximately 15, 000 pickets, and the police had no option but to close the gates, a key moment during the first strike by mineworkers in the UK since the General Strike of 1926. Date: February 1972
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Media ID 32221716
© Marx Memorial Library/Mary Evans
1972 Birmingham Closure Coal Coke Demonstration Gates Miners Picket Pickets Strike Struggle Unions January
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This powerful print captures the intense and historic Battle of Saltley Gate, which took place at the Saltley Coke Depot in Birmingham during February 1972. The image depicts a chaotic scene as police officers struggle to hold back a massive crowd of pickets who had gathered to demand the closure of the depot, which had been processing coal since the start of the miners strike in January.
By February 10th, an estimated 15,000 pickets - including miners and other workers - had converged on Saltley Gate, overwhelming law enforcement and forcing them to close the gates. This pivotal moment marked a significant victory for the striking mineworkers and their allies, representing one of the largest displays of solidarity in UK labor history since the General Strike of 1926.
The tension and determination captured in this photograph serve as a poignant reminder of the power that can be wielded when individuals come together to fight for their rights and demand justice. It stands as a testament to the resilience and unity displayed by those who stood against oppressive forces during this turbulent period in British history.
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