Badge - New Cross Massacre
Object
Badge
Production date
18/01/1981
Object number
2013.198
Physical Description
A badge worn by people demonstrating against the New Cross Fire, 1981
Associated Event
New Cross Fire
Material
metal alloy
Plastic
Dimension
Diameter (front): 55mm
Exhibition Label
"On 18 January 1981, a fire broke out at a birthday party in New Cross. Thirteen black teenagers were killed. Police initially believed it was a racist attack, but quickly changed their line of enquiry. 10,000 people from across London took part in a protest march against police brutality and incompetence. The cause of the fire was never established.
This was 11 years before I was born and 29 years before I moved to New Cross. The badge highlights the important work that Hackney Museum does in remembering events that some people would prefer were forgotten and reminds me why I am proud to work here."
Josie Stevens, Museum Assistant
An estimated 15,000 people marched from New Cross to central London on 2 March 1981.
They wanted to draw attention to the perceived failure of the police to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding a house fire in New Cross in which 13 young people had died a few weeks earlier on 18 January. Some of the organisations leading the calls for answers were based in Hackney.
Similar to Hackney, there was a high degree of racial tension in New Cross and far-right groups were active locally including the National Front.
People Power: Black British Arts & Activism in Hackney 1960s - 2000s
This was 11 years before I was born and 29 years before I moved to New Cross. The badge highlights the important work that Hackney Museum does in remembering events that some people would prefer were forgotten and reminds me why I am proud to work here."
Josie Stevens, Museum Assistant
"On 18 January 1981, a fire broke out at a birthday party in New Cross. Thirteen black teenagers were killed. Police initially believed it was a racist attack, but quickly changed their line of enquiry. 10,000 people from across London took part in a protest march against police brutality and incompetence. The cause of the fire was never established.
This was 11 years before I was born and 29 years before I moved to New Cross. The badge highlights the important work that Hackney Museum does in remembering events that some people would prefer were forgotten and reminds me why I am proud to work here."
Josie Stevens, Museum Assistant
Black People’s Day of Action
This was 11 years before I was born and 29 years before I moved to New Cross. The badge highlights the important work that Hackney Museum does in remembering events that some people would prefer were forgotten and reminds me why I am proud to work here."
Josie Stevens, Museum Assistant
An estimated 15,000 people marched from New Cross to central London on 2 March 1981.
They wanted to draw attention to the perceived failure of the police to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding a house fire in New Cross in which 13 young people had died a few weeks earlier on 18 January. Some of the organisations leading the calls for answers were based in Hackney.
Similar to Hackney, there was a high degree of racial tension in New Cross and far-right groups were active locally including the National Front.
People Power: Black British Arts & Activism in Hackney 1960s - 2000s
On display?
No
Inscription
Come what may we are here to stay
New Cross Massacre January 18 1981
New Cross Massacre January 18 1981