Physical Resistance: A Hundred Years of Anti-Fascism

Let us begin our journey with a simple truth: great movements often rise from the smallest acts of solidarity. In the aftermath of the First World War, Britain’s working class faced grinding poverty, unemployment, and the looming specter of political unrest. It was in these narrow streets and crowded tenements that the first seeds of anti-fascism took root. Imagine a young mill worker, her hands rough from labor, standing beside a poet and a builder. Together, they formed the National Union for Combating Fascism, led by the indomitable Ethel Carnie Holdsworth. She was not just a leader—she was a beacon, showing that anyone, regardless of background or gender, could stand against hatred.

In these early days, resistance was as much about community as it was about confrontation. The People’s Defence Force, formed by the Communist Party, patrolled neighborhoods, watched over meetings, and protected vulnerable families from fascist attacks. Uniforms—red armbands, khaki shirts—became symbols of unity, transforming ordinary people into visible guardians of their streets. Yet, this was not a story of violence for its own sake. It was about defending the right to gather, to speak, and to live without fear.

Economic hardship was the backdrop to every act of resistance. The General Strike of 1926, the Hunger Marches, and daily struggles for work created a sense of shared purpose. It was in this crucible that the first anti-fascist alliances were forged—not just among political activists, but among neighbors who realized that standing together was their only hope. These alliances crossed lines of party, faith, and background, uniting people in a cause greater than themselves.

But resistance was not without its dangers. Fascist groups, threatened by the growing movement, resorted to sabotage and intimidation. Printers were threatened, pamphlets seized, and even bomb threats issued. Yet, the presses continued to roll, and the stories of resistance spread from city to city. Every pamphlet, every chalked slogan on a pavement, was a declaration: we are not afraid.

As we move forward, remember the faces in the crowd—the women and men, the old and the young, who made a choice to resist. Their courage reminds us that extraordinary change often begins with ordinary people.

Let’s turn now to the strategies and debates that shaped their struggle, as the movement learned not only how to resist, but how to grow stronger together.