On this day, 11 July 1981, it was rumoured that fascists were planning to attack Asian communities in Bradford, UK, so the United Black Youth League decided to organise defence of the community and assembled a cache of petrol bombs.
The League included Black and Asian members, and the event occurred against a background of repeated racist attacks and firebombings.
Police found the Molotov cocktails, and 12 young Asian men were arrested and charged - the Bradford 12. Following a big campaign in their defence, they were all acquitted on the basis that their actions amounted to community self defence.
Learn more in our podcast episodes 33-34 with one of the defendants, Tariq Mehmood: https://workingclasshistory.com/2019/09/18/e28-29-asian-youth-movements-in-bradford/
You can listen to our podcast on our website, or on Apple, Spotify, Google podcasts, or any other major podcast app. https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1758792017639274/?type=3