Brixton Riots Railton Road



 


 


 


 

Railton Road

Located between Brixton and Herne Hill, a south London, England district within the borough of Lambeth, Railton Road was considered one of the more run down areas of the city because of its high concentration of Afro-Caribbean immigrants. There is no set date for its construction, but it can be speculated that it is dates back to Brixton’s boom. Seen as one of the cities lower income areas during the 1970s and 80s the road was described as being run-down and crime ridden, which came as a result of the as as unemployment crisis left many to wonder the streets in boredom. Many of the residents of the street were from the areas black community that had begun prominently establishing itself in Brixton after World War 2. Railton road displayed some of the the poorest housing conditions within London at the time and high crime rates that were affecting the image of Brixton itself. Known locally as “the front line”, the street was essentially believed to be the front line for the conflict that existed at this time between the members of the black community and the police. Although the road gained a reputation and was forced to be remodelled after the United Kingdoms most dangerous and tragic event that took place here, the 1981 Brixton Riots. Having left left the street in wreckage with many houses looted, cars turned over and even some buildings set ablaze the riots added to the poor conditions that already existed in the area.The events that took place on Railton road, certainly set the stage for much of the racial tensions and controversies that shaped the areas important historical events.

Meltzer, Albert (1996). By the Waters of Babylon; The Battle of Railton Road; International Centres. AK Press. Retrieved from http://www.spunk.org/library/writers/meltzer/ sp001591/angels21.html



(1981, April 13th). How smouldering tension erupted to set Brixton aflame. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1981/apr/1...



(2011, April 10th). When Brixton went up in flames. Retrieved from: https:// www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/10/brixton-riot-ap...



(2012, Jan 10th) The 1981 Riots in South London https://libcom.org/history/1981-riots-south-london



(2011, April 6th) 1981 Brixton riots: Racism and poverty - anger explodes. Socialist Newspaper. p. 6-7. Retrieved from: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/11721



(1981, April 13th). Mr Whitelaw expected to announce inquiry into Brixton riots today. Times, p.1. Retrieved from: tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/5Uy6b2



Kettle, M & Hodges, L. (1982) "Uprising!: The Police, the People, and the Riots in Britain's Cities." London: Pan Books,101-111.

One of the most defining events in London's history took place on April 10th, 1981(known as the 1981 Brixton Riots), began on Railton Road[1]. Many police officers and black youth were left injured, where buildings had been burned as well as cars flipped over leaving Railton Road in ruins. It was on this road that police officers who attempted to aid Michael Bailey, a black teen who'd been stabbed, were attacked by a large group of young black youth who arrived on the scene and believed not enough had been done to save the boy's life[2]. Although the young man was rushed to the hospital, many of the rioters intentions had been influenced by the racial tensions that went unnoticed by the public eye[3]. From this initial event there erupted the destructive violence of the riots where cop cars were flipped over, bombed and police officers were attacked by black youth.Also, police cars that attempted to get through to officers who'd been there at the start of the riots and maintain the situation had bottles thrown through their windshields[4]. Rioters cornered and charged police who had established a wall of riot shields into the middle of Railton Road[5]. Hundreds of residents along the road were trapped in their houses. However, by 10 pm, police were in control of the situation and having driven back the rioters remained alert for a number of hours on Railton Road[6]. Railton Road definitely stands as an important location in the history of London, one that brings to light the overt racism and racial tensions that a group has had within the broader community[7]. With low income housing and underlying racism that existed on Railton Road, this location gives reasoning to the 1981 Brixton Riots as displaying the frustrations of the black community who were marginalized since their arrival[8]. The street, where much of the black youth had been subjected to acts of direct racism from the local police, was the platform for which they could best express their true feelings[9]. Civil unrest of the black community witnessed on Railton Road, draws attention to the theme of prejudice and institutional racism that undermined the struggle for a multicultural society[10]. Such resentment and abusive behaviour became more prominent on Railton Road, as public attention was finally directed toward racial issues that hadn't been resolved. As the purpose of this tour examines the history of institutional racism in Brixton, Railton Road is an important location to acknowledge, in order understand how such violence and prejudice of the black community continues to exist today.

(1981, April 13th). How smouldering tension erupted to set Brixton aflame. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1981/apr/1...

(2011, April 10th). When Brixton went up in flames. Retrieved from: https:// www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/10/brixton-riot-ap...

Meltzer, Albert (1996). By the Waters of Babylon; The Battle of Railton Road; International Centres. AK Press, http://www.spunk.org/library/writers/meltzer/ sp001591/angels21.html

(2011, April 6th) 1981 Brixton riots: Racism and poverty - anger explodes. Socialist Newspaper. p. 6-7. Retrieved from: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/11721

Kettle, M & Hodges, L. (1982) "Uprising!: The Police, the People, and the Riots in Britain's Cities." London: Pan Books,101-111.


Meltzer, Albert (1996). By the Waters of Babylon; The Battle of Railton Road; International Centres. AK Press. Retrieved from http://www.spunk.org/library/writers/meltzer/ sp001591/angels21.html



(1981, April 13th). How smouldering tension erupted to set Brixton aflame. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1981/apr/1...



(2011, April 10th). When Brixton went up in flames. Retrieved from: https:// www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/10/brixton-riot-ap...



(2012, Jan 10th) The 1981 Riots in South London https://libcom.org/history/1981-riots-south- london



(2011, April 6th) 1981 Brixton riots: Racism and poverty - anger explodes. Socialist Newspaper. p. 6-7. Retrieved from: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/11721



(1981, April 13th). Mr Whitelaw expected to announce inquiry into Brixton riots today. Times, p.1. Retrieved from: tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/5Uy6b2



Kettle, M & Hodges, L. (1982) "Uprising!: The Police, the People, and the Riots in Britain's Cities." London: Pan Books,101-111.

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