This project originated in 2015 as a result of public responses to the 'Radical New Cross: Protest and Dissent, 1875-2015' series of events which celebrated the radical past, present, and future of New Cross. The intention of this project was to initiate discussions and debates regarding the 40th anniversary of the 1977 Battle of Lewisham and, ultimately, to create and stage a series of meaningful, impactful, and community orientated commemorative events.

One of the core outcomes of the project was the installation of a permanent, public commemorative plaque. Following an initial public consultation on the proposal at Lewisham People’s Day 2016, it was decided that a Lewisham Council Maroon Plaque located on Clifton Rise would to be a fitting commemoration. Across April 2017, the public were consulted on the wording of the plaque through a social media campaign, articles in the local press, and voting stations at six prominent local community spaces. Nearly 500 people expressed their views on the wording and following a further round of consultation with community stakeholders, a final version of the text was agreed. The plaque was unveiled by Councillor Joan Millbank, Lewisham Council's Cabinet member for the Third sector and community, on 13 August 2017, exactly forty-years after the original events.

To mark the 40th anniversary, this project produced and staged an ambitious programme of public events and activities designed to initiate inclusive dialogues with different publics on how the ‘Battle of Lewisham’ should be remembered and its contemporary relevance.

Activities including art workshops, public consultations, live music, poetry, exhibitions of contemporary art and photography, screenings, panel discussions, and history walks. These events engaged a wide range of publics with a largely forgotten aspect of local history, shaping perceptions of the borough and reaffirming its centrality to the history of race relations in the UK.

Partnerships with Lewisham Council, Lewisham Libraries, Love Music Hate Racism, the Albany, and a host of community organisations helped the project directly engage thousands, while millions more were reached by one of Goldsmiths most successful press and social media campaigns.

• Price, John. 2017. What are you taking pictures For? Exhibition. In: "What are you taking pictures For?", Richard Hoggart Building, Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom, 1 - 13 September 2017. [Show/Exhibition]

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/31444