Poster parade of Suffragettes

Poster parade of Suffragettes announcing a demonstration to be held at the House of Commons on 30th June 1908. The photograph was taken in the Strand. The Suffragettes that appear in the photo have been identified as Dorothy Radcliffe, Hilda Dallas, Charlotte Marsh and Dora Spong who appears to be holding a pile of Votes for Women newspapers. 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 posters 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.