Blair Peach
Birth date
1946
Death date
24/04/1979
Biography
Blair Peach, was a New Zealand born teacher living in Hackney who worked at Phoenix School in Bow. He was well known in Hackney as an anti-racist campaigner, and was a member of the SWP and Anti Nazi League. He was president of the East London Teachers' Association and active in the The National Union of Teachers (NUT). He was attacked on the street by the National Front twice after appearing on a TV programme about racism in East London.
In April 1979 while attending an Anti Nazi League demonstration against a National Front meeting in Southall, witnesses reported seeing Blair being struck by police officer. He died that night in hospital.
No one was charged for Blair's death, and the case had a significant impact on police relations within Hackney. Following his death, the Hackney Branch of the National Union of Teachers introduced a ban on letting local police speak to Hackney schoolchildren. Blair's partner Celia Stubbs was among the founders of the charity Inquest in 1981.
In April 1979 while attending an Anti Nazi League demonstration against a National Front meeting in Southall, witnesses reported seeing Blair being struck by police officer. He died that night in hospital.
No one was charged for Blair's death, and the case had a significant impact on police relations within Hackney. Following his death, the Hackney Branch of the National Union of Teachers introduced a ban on letting local police speak to Hackney schoolchildren. Blair's partner Celia Stubbs was among the founders of the charity Inquest in 1981.
Photograph of Blair Peach. Unknown Photographer, Public Domain.