"A people's art is the genesis of their freedom" Claudia Jones - Notting Hill 1959

Claudia Jones  the great community organiser and committed trade unionist stated at the launch of the first Notting Hill Carnival on 30th January 1959 that

"A people's art is the genesis of their freedom"

The first British Caribbean carnival was held at St Pancras Town Hall as an act of defiance, to local fascists who encouraged by Osward Mosley and local Teddy boy thugs had launched a wave of violent attacks upon the black community in Notting Hill area of west London, culminating in the racist Notting Hill riots and later the murder by a white racist gang of a 32 year old  Antiguan carpenter, Kelso Cochrane in Golborne Roard, NW10.

The first carnival included many cultural acts including Calypso singers, dancing, Cleo Laine (with Mike McKenzie) and the Trinidad Hummingbirds Steel Band.

At the 1960 carnival steel bands included, Russ Henderson Trinidadian Steel Band and The Tropican's Steel band.

New Paddington RMT (formally National Union of Railwaymen) banner first public outing Burston School Strike Rally (Diss, Norfolk) 1st September 2013 - includes representation of Claudia Jones (Left bottom corner)

 
The Tropicans' Steel band playing at the YCL London Festival of Socialism December 1957, The national Festival of Socialism was held Witsun 1958

Never Forget: Conservative Party poster London 1964 (note cannot even spell Burdened)