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Islington Gazette - Marchers commemorate brave stand of Martyrs

Complex Needs & Challenging Behaviour nlnews@archant.co.uk30 April 2009MP Emily Thornberry (right) and Frances O’Grady (centre), of the TUC, lead the march into Edward SquareMP Emily Thornberry (right) and Frances O’Grady (centre), of the TUC, lead the march into Edward SquareHUNDREDS of workers reclaimed Islington's radical history as they marched in memory of the first trade unionists.With banners held aloft and listening to the strains of left-wing protest singer Billy Bragg, they remembered the sacrifice of the Tolpuddle Martyrs 175 years ago.On April 21, 1834, a 100,000-strong mass marched on Copenhagen Fields - in what is now the borough of Islington - to demand the release of the six Tolpuddle Martyrs.The "martyrs" were Dorset farm workers who had been sentenced to seven years' transportation to Australia for forming a union to campaign against the lowering of wages.And last week, Islington held one of its biggest ever celebrations in their memory.It culmin