saturday 25th april several hundred people joined together to remember the tolpuddle martyrs, who 175 years ago, were sentenced to seven years' transportation into slavery in australia for forming a trade union. in 1834 100,000 people marched on parliament with petitions. in the face of huge opposition, the government eventually backed down and pardoned the six men. every year, trades unionists celebrate this important date, and this year, they held a family afternoon in the edward square park close to where the original grand march had gathered.

various councillors, musicians and trade unionists took to the stage, including the mayor of islington, martin carthy, the raised voices choir, and of course billy bragg.

pics at  http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/1267