Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front march, activists gather in Highgbury Fields on 04.12.20. Speaker Josephine Jones, fashion designer, model and the first trans designer to show at London Fashion Week. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)
On Friday (December 4), the Gay Liberation Front reimagined the torchlight protest that took place 50 years ago after Louis Eaks of the Young Liberals was arrested in Highbury Fields.
READ MORE: ‘Highbury Fields gay rights demo was a watershed moment’He was accused of “importuning for an immoral purpose” after approaching several men in a police entrapment operation - Mr Eakes claimed he was asking them for a light.
The law was used almost exclusively against gay men, according to the Public Law Project.
About 150 people turned up to Highbury Fields in 1970 in solidarity with Mr Eakes.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front march, activists gather in Highgbury Fields on 04.12.20. to make speeches and celebrate the progress of the movement. Speaker and original activist who was there on that first demonstration Miqhey Miqxture. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)
A statement on the Gay Liberation Front website says: “This was a commemoration of sexual freedom, in celebration of those who were there, and the next generation of young activists responding to the intersectional challenges faced by queer people today.
“LGBT+ hate crimes and injustice are on the rise all over the world, and we won’t stand for it.”
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front march, activists gather in Highgbury Fields on 04.12.20. to make speeches and celebrate the progress of the movement. The event ended with sparklers. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front march, activists gather in Highgbury Fields on 04.12.20. to make speeches and celebrate the progress of the movement. MC for the evening Dani welcomes people to event and introduces the speakers. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front march, activists gather in Highgbury Fields on 04.12.20. to make speeches and celebrate the progress of the movement. Speaker Jaroslaw Kubiak from Polish Rainbow in UK. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Liberation Front march, activists gather in Highgbury Fields on 04.12.20. Speaker Terry Stacey. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)
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