Workers speak in support of Bogdan Syrotiuk at the 90th anniversary of Battle of Cable Street

5 October 2026facebook iconA rally and march was held in East London on Sunday to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.

On October 4, 1936, a few thousand fascists organised by Oswald Mosely tried to march through a heavily Jewish area of the city. Despite the violent support of the police, they were stopped by a mass mobilisation of tens of thousands of local workers. The event is a landmark reference for anti-fascist politics in Britain.

Members of the Socialist Equality Party attended to speak with workers and young people about the persecution of anti-war socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk by the far-right government in Ukraine. Bogdan has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for “treason” for calling for the joint struggle of Russian and Ukrainian workers against the war, and for exposing the rehabilitation of Ukrainian collaborators with the Nazis.

Many people stopped to discuss the case and sign the petition for Bogdan’s freedom.

Patrick, a community artist, spoke on the danger of a Third World War and the connections between events in Ukraine, Iran and Gaza. He said, “We’ve got to call internationally for his [Bogdan’s] release and [for the Ukrainian government] to drop all the charges.

“They’re just trying to gag all the people speaking out against this carnage. It’s not in the interests of the Ukrainian people; it’s not in the interests of the Russian people.”

Ahmed stopped to say, “I live literally around the corner here. I see you guys, what you’re doing, and I appreciate what you’re doing. I have kids and I don’t want to leave my kids in this situation to be honest. With war and the far right, the world is on fire right now—kids are dying all over the world.”

Promising to support the fight for Bogdan’s freedom he added, “We need to live together in unity. Thank you for what you are doing here, and I will support you as much as I can.”

Malcolm, a retired worker who had spent several years in the Royal Navy, spoke forcefully against the Britain’s warmongering and in defence of Bogdan, telling the SEP: “There appears to me to be a campaign by the establishment and aided by the media to start the war with Russia, which is lunacy in my view.

“We have stories about how useless the Russian army is and what it is, and yet they’re going to invade Europe. When was the last time a useless army conquered anybody? Which is it? What are they? They’re threatening us or they’re useless? Which is it?

“And if anybody thinks NATO is a defensive organisation, they are very, very sadly mistaken.

“I think only the people can stop it. A mass opposition by the British population to stop this nonsense. to make the politician realise that nobody wants this thing.

“But I am greatly encouraged by young people who are not rushing to join the military across Europe. You can’t sell this garbage to young people anymore, you know. So, in that respect, I’m optimistic.

“I look forward to the success of your campaign to free this very sensible man.”

Nigel, who traveled from Oxford to attend the event, told the SEP, “It’s essential to support political prisoners, especially those who take an anti-militarist stand and an anti-imperialist stand in the proxy war in Ukraine and its regions.”

The WSWS urges every reader visit the campaign website FreeBogdan.org and act: