It was a clash between the Metropolitan Police - sent to protect a march by members of the British Union of Fascists - and various anti-fascist demonstrators, including local trade unionists, anarchists, communists, socialists, British Jews and even gangsters led by Jack ’Spot’ Comer.

It had become known that the British Union of Fascists (BUF) were organising a march to take place through the heart of the East End, an area that then had a large Jewish population. The planned route would take the Blackshirts from Tower Hill through Limehouse, Bow, Mile End to Bethnal Green and Shoreditch, with open-air meetings of local BUF supporters along the way.

Anti-fascist demonstrators - maybe 100 000 in number - were met by 7000 policemen (including mounted police), who attempted to clear the road to permit the march of 3000 fascists to proceed.

Barricades were constructed near the junction with Christian Street (Stepney) but the main confrontation took place around Gardiner’s department store in Whitechapel. Police attempted to clear a route, but the demonstrators fought back with improvised weapons.

The BUF marchers were dispersed towards Hyde Park while the anti-fascists fought with police. About 150 demonstrators were arrested, although some escaped with the help of other demonstrators. Around 175 people were injured.

Following the incident, the Public Order Act 1936 outlawed the wearing of political uniforms.