Activism exhibition documents history of protest

The exhibition includes items from protests against the poll tax of the 1980s

An exhibition about activists, protests and campaigning, including stories from the Windrush generation and the women’s suffrage movement, has opened.

Curators at the University of Huddersfield’s archive and museum space Heritage Quay have selected items from more than 190 collections to create the exhibition, called Activism in the Archives .

Curator Dave Smith said the event was a response to the increasing number of protests across the UK.

He said: “With activism, protest and social justice as relevant to today’s world as at any point in the past, this feels very timely.”

There are items from animal rights group Chickens’ Lib

The exhibition includes examples of student activism and protests by residents in Kirklees, including displays about peace movements and rugby league.

Local activist Dr Milton Brown has contributed items for the Windrush: The Years After collection, which tells the story of people who immigrated from the Caribbean to Kirklees in the 1940s and 50s.

There are also items from animal rights group Chickens’ Lib.

Donated to Heritage Quay in 2021 by campaigner Clare Druce, the collection includes letters and cards from supporters including Spike Milligan, Barbara Castle and Joanna Lumley.

Curator Dave Smith said Huddersfield had a rich heritage of protest

The exhibition also contains items from the group Women in Rugby League, which supports grassroots women's rugby, and includes memorabilia such as trophies.

Mr Smith said: “From protests about road crossings on the Huddersfield ring road, to incredibly important movements for people’s rights, we hope that the passion and bravery of these extraordinary people resonates with our visitors.

“We are also pleased to celebrate both the rich heritage of protest here in Huddersfield, but also pay tribute to some of the people we work with today.”

The exhibition is open until 14 February 2025.

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