Badge - Picket Wapping
Object
Badge
Production date
1986-1987
Object number
2024.357
Physical Description
Circular badge, white background with black text. Black and white illustration of a police officer on a horse wearing riot gear and holding a baton as they approach a man seen from behind with his fist raised.
Object history
The large police presence at the Wapping Dispute was accused of being overly aggressive with strikers. On 15 February 1986 police began to use riot shields and mounted police to break up the crowd. After a year, with the unions facing bankruptcy, the strike ended. The dispute had seen a total 1,262 arrests, and 410 police injuries.
This badge was owned by Hackney activists Mary Pimm and Nik Wood, who attended demonstrations at Wapping.
This badge was owned by Hackney activists Mary Pimm and Nik Wood, who attended demonstrations at Wapping.
Personal experiences
Experience shared by Mary Pimm, Hackney based union activist who joined protestors at Wapping:
Well I’d been there several times with other people. And then I went one evening on my own, and there were police on horseback and it was terrifying so I just went home.
Experience shared by Nik Wood, a Hackney based union activist:
It was a huge fight. And I mean fight. There was actual fighting with the police at Wapping.
Associated Event
Associated Person
Associated Place
Tower Hamlets (Place)
Material
Metal
Plastic
Dimension
Circumference: 39mm
On display?
No
Inscription
PICKET WAPPING
