Protests in Colchester during the past four decades

One of the biggest protests seen in Colchester in the past four decades was the poll tax march in High Street in 1990. 

Residents took to the streets against MP Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s plans of a community tax, which were first revealed in 1974. 

The tax was not based on the value of the home, but on how many adults lived in it. 

Police and protesters clashed in Colchester during the poll tax riots in 1990

Protests took place in March and May and participants chanted anti-government slogans, triggering clashes with the police. 

The demonstration was joined by all parts of the community, even mums who joined the march with their prams. 

Mums and their prams joined the protests

In 1995, Colchester also saw a fierce animal rights protest. 

A row over live animal exports through Brightlingsea came into the national spotlight and High Street became the scene of continuous clashes between campaigners and police. 

Exporters wanted to use Brightlingsea port to ferry live sheep and calves to Europe after the UK’s main ferry operators banned live cargo. 

The clashes occurred almost daily for ten months and were referred to as The Battle of Brightlingsea led by the campaign group Brightlingsea Against Live Exports (BALE) with their organiser, resident Maria Wilby. 

Protests against sending live stock through Brightlingsea

The protests ended successfully with exporters announcing in October not to transport animals through the town because of the extra cost and chaos. 

In 2019, meanwhile, the fight against plans to build up to 1000 homes on the Middlewick Ranges began. 

More than 100 people got together in July at the Orchard Baptist Church in Mersea Road, to oppose plans by the Ministry of Defence. 

Protests are ongoing, with campaigners continuing to warn of the irreversible effects of a development of that size on wildlife in the area. 

Protest over possible plans to develop Middlewick in Colchester by residents

In early May, the Friends of Middlewick said surveys have revealed a large nightingale population calls the ranges and its surroundings their home. 

Another protest took to Colchester’s High Street in 2019 when anti-austerity activists walked the streets. 

The Colchester branch of the People’s Assembly Against Austerity organised the Britain is Broken march as part of national campaign to prevent more cuts to vital services. 

Colchester People’s Assembly march against austerity through Colchester

Colchester-based and national speakers addressed the crowds and a clash with the annual St George’s Day parade was slightly avoided.