Bloody Sunday (1887)

Bloody Sunday (1887), also known as the Trafalgar Square Riot, refers to the events of November 13, 1887, in London, England, during which a large demonstration protesting unemployment and demanding the release of Irish nationalist MP William O'Brien was violently suppressed by the Metropolitan Police and the British Army. The demonstration was organized by the Social Democratic Federation and the Irish National League.

The march was intended to proceed to Trafalgar Square, which had previously been declared off-limits to public meetings by the Commissioner of Police, Sir Charles Warren. Despite the ban, large crowds gathered. Police, acting under Warren's orders, forcefully dispersed the demonstrators using batons and mounted police. The ensuing violence resulted in numerous injuries and at least three deaths, although conflicting accounts of the number of fatalities exist.

Among those present and allegedly injured during the riot were prominent figures such as the playwright George Bernard Shaw and the socialist leader William Morris. The events sparked public outrage and criticism of the police response, raising questions about the right to protest and the use of force against civilians.

The Bloody Sunday of 1887 is considered a significant event in the history of British social and political activism, highlighting the tensions between the working class, Irish nationalists, and the state. It contributed to increased awareness of social inequalities and the need for political reform. The events led to increased scrutiny of policing tactics and helped to pave the way for future legislation protecting the right to peaceful assembly. While overshadowed by the better-known Bloody Sunday of 1972 in Northern Ireland, the 1887 incident remains a notable event in British labor and political history.