Demonstrations

One method of advocating for women’s suffrage was through demonstrations. These would engage the public, indicate the mass appeal of the movement and galvanise morale.

The suffragists organised a mass demonstration in Manchester in 1908 as is evidenced from the poster and procession programme in the suffrage collection of Archives+, Manchester Central Library. The inside of the Programme shows how much planning had gone into the event such as organising marshals and refreshments and how the route would cover central Manchester. The importance of banners and badges is also clear as there are instructions for the banner bearers and where it states, ‘it is hoped that all taking part in the procession will wear a badge’.

The Greater Manchester Game Changer groups re-enacted this procession at the Victorian replica street, Lark Hill Place at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. They did this wearing period costumes, their replica badges, rosettes and sashes and displaying the banners that they created.