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England & Scotland in Protest 1975–78 Protest is timeless, as evidenced by Phil Portus's powerful images in Cafe Royal Books new publication

England & Scotland in Protest 1975–78

Protest is timeless, as evidenced by Phil Portus's powerful images in Cafe Royal Books new publication

by Alan Rider, Contributing Editor
first published: January, 2025

approximate reading time: minutes

Even the smallest change resulting from the pressure these events bring is a victory, as without them we surrender to the bullies.

England & Scotland in Protest 1975–78 
Phil Portus
(Cafe Royal Books)

Another fascinating photo book by the ever brilliant Cafe Royal Books, this time showcasing Phil Portus's powerful (and occasionally amusing) images of a multitude of protests captured over a crucial three year period from 1975.  Those were turbulent times in the UK.  The first Cold War was at its height, so the prospect of annihilation by Atoms or Neutrons was very real for everyone.  Racist attacks were everywhere, unemployment was crippling, male violence against women was a daily experience for many.  That spawned protest movements large and small.  Some, like the anti-nuclear and anti-nazi rallies drew huge crowds in Trafalgar Square and clogged up Whitehall. Others pictured here are more rag tag; a small column marching along a high street, or a handful of pickets protesting outside a factory or newspaper plant.  

Newspaper plant protest

That tradition hasn't ceased of course, and in many ways we seem to be back where we were then, with a resurgent Right Wing on the rise globally, racism and class hate infesting politics and society, Women's, Gay, and Trans rights under attack in the media and from populism, environmental destruction rampant everywhere, and a new Cold War firmly in place East and West. It is precisely because of that, these images are so relevant.  They remind us that we have a right, nay DUTY, to protest and challenge ignorance, intolerance and extremism whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head.  That all the effort that went into these marches and rallies has altered so little may feel like failure, but even the smallest change resulting from the pressure these events bring is a victory, as without them we surrender to the bullies. Flipping though this book is a timely reminder, as I write this review on the day of Trump's inauguration.

Anti nuclear protest march


Essential Information:  You can order this and a range of other titles from the Cafe Royal Books online shop here

Alan Rider
Contributing Editor

Alan Rider is a Norfolk based writer and electronic musician from Coventry, who splits his time between excavating his own musical past and feeding his growing band of hedgehogs, usually ending up combining the two. Alan also performs in Dark Electronic act Senestra and manages the indie label Adventures in Reality.


about Alan Rider »»

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