Black Power in Notting Hill (Edexcel GCSE History) : Revision Note

The Mangrove Protest and Black Power- Summary

In the 1960s, Black communities in Notting Hill stood up against racism and unfair treatment, especially from the police. Groups like the British Black Panthers were inspired by civil rights movements in America and wanted to challenge racism in Britain. People like Michael X, Darcus Howe, and others helped lead these groups. They spoke out about the struggles Black people faced and demanded change.

One of the most important moments was the protest outside the Mangrove Restaurant in 1970. This restaurant, run by Frank Crichlow, was unfairly targeted by the police. After many raids, the local Black community decided to protest. This led to the arrest and trial of the Mangrove Nine. Although the protest was peaceful, the police reacted strongly. The trial showed that racism existed in the police, and it helped grow the Black Power movement in Britain.

The British Black Panthers

• The British Black Panthers formed after a series of Black Power organisations in Britain

The Racial Adjustment Action Society (RAAS)

• Michael de Freitas was born in Trinidad

  • He moved to London in the 1950s

• He became known as Michael X, influenced by American activist Malcolm X

• Michael X founded the Racial Adjustment Action Society in 1965

  • It campaigned for Black rights and challenged racism in Britain

Stokely Carmichael’s visit to England

• American civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael visited London in 1967

  • He was a leading figure in the US Black Power movement

  • He had been involved with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

• His speeches in the UK inspired many young Black British activists and helped spread the idea of Black Power in Britain

The Black Eagles

• Darcus Howe arrived in England from Trinidad in 1961

  • He wanted to be a lawyer, but had to become a postman

• Howe created the Black Eagles in 19968

  • The group patrolled the streets to protect Black people from harassment

• The police constantly targeted the Black Eagles

  • The group was unarmed but aggressive

  • The Black Eagles declined in popularity by 1969

British Black Panthers (BBP)

• Officially formed in 1968

• It built upon the influence of Stokely Carmichael and American Black Power ideas

• The group was based mainly in London

  • It included key figures like:

    • Darcus Howe

    • Olive Morris

    • Altheia Jones-LeCointe

• The BBP aimed to tackle issues such as:

  • racist policing

  • poor housing

  • discrimination in education and work

Who was Frank Crichlow?

• Frank Crichlow moved from Trinidad to London in the 1950s

• He became a well-known community figure and campaigner for racial equality

The Mangrove Restaurant

• Crichlow opened the Mangrove Restaurant in Notting Hill in 1968

• It became a key meeting place for Black activists, artists, and intellectuals

• The police targeted the Mangrove constantly

  • They carried out multiple raids, claiming there was drug activity

    • The police found no evidence of this

  • Many believed the raids were racially motivated and aimed at disrupting Black activism

The "Mangrove Nine"

The Mangrove Protest (1970)

• In response to constant police harassment, the British Black Panthers organised a peaceful protest to defend the Mangrove

• On 9th August 1970, around 150 people marched through Notting Hill to call out racist policing

Response from the police

• The protest turned into a confrontation with the police

  • The police claimed that the march was causing racist violence

• Nine activists were arrested and put on trial

  • They became known as the Mangrove Nine

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The Mangrove Nine Trial

• The Magistrates dismissed the charges against the Mangrove Nine

  • However, the Director of Public Prosecutions pushed for the court trial

• The trial took place at the Old Bailey in 1971

  • The nine defendants included:

    • Frank Crichlow

    • Darcus Howe

    • Altheia Jones-LeCointe

• They used the trial to expose racism within the police and the legal system

• After a long trial, all nine were cleared of the most serious charges

• The judge admitted there was "evidence of racial hatred" in the Metropolitan Police

  • This was a big moment in British legal history

  • The government pressured him to rule that there was racist hatred on both sides

    • The judge did not change the verdict

Impact of the Mangrove Nine

• The case raised public awareness of racist policing

• It helped grow support for the British Black Panthers

  • In the 1970s, the BBP had around 3,000 members

• The Mangrove Restaurant became a lasting symbol of resistance and Black pride in Britain