"Sale Moor Anti Poll Tax Union (APTU) banner" [NMLH.2016.6]

Catalogue Number
NMLH.2016.6

Object Name
Banner

Title
'Sale Moor APTU. No Poll Tax. Don't Pay.'

Place
Sale Moor, Manchester

People
Sale Moor Anti Poll Tax Union (APTU)

Events
Poll Tax protests

Date
1989

Creator(s)


Description
Black landscape banner with white lettering. Text reads ‘SALE MOOR APTU NO POLL TAX DON’T PAY’ in block capitals. The insides of the letters ‘A’, ‘O’ ‘R’ and ‘P’ have been cut away and backed by mesh fabric.


This banner was made by the Sale Moor Anti-Poll Tax Union in 1989. During the Poll Tax upheaval in the late 1980s, early 1990s, Anti- Poll Tax Unions were formed by communities who protested against the new tax.


This particular banner hung outside Trafford Magistrates Count, Sale, where many non-payers were tried and featured in many protests and demonstrations, both locally and nationally. The banner hung outside the court during a 200 plus strong occupation of the courst by the Trafford Anti- Poll Tax Federation and its supporters and at one time was slashed with a knife, but was later repaired. The banner was carried on the large London demostrations, including the 'Battle of Trafalgar Square' in March 1990 and remained unscathed. It again featured on a large 30,000 strong demo the following year in London, marching eventually to Brxton prison, where many non-payers were being held,


Five members of the Trafford Anti- Poll Tax Federation were subject to prison commital orders in 1989-1990 by the local authority.


Materials: Black polyester with white cotton lettering applied with adhesive and repaired historically in places with stitches.