On 16th August 1819 in St Peter's Fields, Manchester, armed cavalry charged a peaceful crowd of around 60,000 people gathered to listen to anti-poverty and pro-democracy speakers. It is estimated that 18 were killed, and over 700 seriously injured.
We are campaigning for a PROMINENT, EXPLANATORY and RESPECTFUL memorial to this major event in the history of Manchester and its people, and to those who died that day.
Brief history of the Peterloo Massacre
Maps showing the area of St Peter's Fields in 1816 and the modern day.
Manchester City Council have now committed to a new memorial to peterloo, which will be part of the redevelopment of the St Peter's Square area. We've been told that the artist's brief is that the memorial should somehow mark other significant Peterloo locations, such as the site of the hustings behind the Free Trade Hall.
We'll now be lobbying the Council to ensure we have a place on whatever group chooses the ultimate design of the memorial.
In the meantime, please contact your local Councillor to emphasise that the design must fit our criteria, and not be of a meaningless, abstract nature.
190th Anniversary
Our commemoration event this year was a stunning success, attracting 200 people. Speakers included Jim Battle, the deputy leader of the council, and Tony Lloyd MP. We emphasised how crucial it is that the design of the memorial was realistic and informative. More details and pictures here.
Are you related to a Peterloo protestor?
Carnegie Publishing Ltd have released a sample cross section of names from the full list of over 650 included in Professor Michael Bush's 2005 book 'The Casualties of Peterloo'.
Download the list here
Memorial Design Day 05/07/08
On July 5th we held a design day to ask people what sort of memorial they want in Manchester. We came up with a lot of ideas and a good degree of consensus.
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New Plaque Goes Up 10/12/07
Our first goal to replace the insulting blue plaque has been achieved. The new red one below was unveiled on Monday 10th December 2007. More pictures of the ceremony
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The new wording is close to what we suggested and uses the updated casualty figures provided by Professor Michael Bush:
"St Peter's Fields |
Our Protest 16/08/07
On 16th August 2007 we braved the Manchester rain and with the press and tv crews in attendance taped our proposed new red plaque over the existing one and laid flowers beneath.
