Poster Parade of Suffragettes

Poster parade of Suffragettes announcing a demonstration to be held at the House of Commons on 30th June 1908. The Suffragette in the foreground is selling the Votes for Women weekly newspaper of the Women's Social and Political Union. Suffragette poster parades were a familiar sight on London's streets. Used primarily to announce and promote meetings and demonstrations they were an effective method of attracting the attention of both the press and the general public. They also provided greater safety for the Suffragettes who were often vulnerable to hecklers and verbal abuse.

The event promoted on the poster took place after the Women's Parliament meeting held by the Women's Social and Political Union at Caxton Hall. As the Suffragettes left the Hall and attempted to march to the House of Commons they were confronted by a crowd of about 100,000 controlled by 1700 policemen. The ensuing scuffles resulted in the arrest of many Suffragettes, 25 of whom were subsequently imprisoned.