THE BATTLE OF BRIGHTON.
Over 90 youths were arrested in one of the biggest brawls in history.
On the 19th of may in Brighton 1964 police arrested over 90 mods and rockers and issued fines totalling over £1,900 on 36 people. Why were they fighting though? Why has this impacted history so much?
“fighting, drinking, roaring, rampaging teenagers on scooters and motorcycles”
Over 400 youths gathered on the seaside resort, scaring both locals and tourists alike. They threw and broke deckchairs, making a bonfire and shouting obscenities at each other. The two groups clashed on this day as it was said that due to the Mods and Rockers differences, a small group of Mods were bored and decided to start a turf war with another small group of rockers and it spiralled out of control, with each group defending their own without any other context needed. Other than having nothing in common to one another, the Mods often regarded the Rockers to be smelly and greasy whereas the Rockers mocked the Mods for their vibrant clothing choices and the “under-powered prams” (scooters) in which the Mods rode. The battle of Brighton was not only a reckless act but stamped Youths to be these violent and irresponsible creatures. The massive brawl mainly consisted of fist fights but knives, chains and knuckle-dusters were used. It was said that Mods also used fish hooks or razor blades hidden and sewed into their clothes to shred the fingers of rockers. Dr. George Simpson said “These long-haired, mentally unstable, petty little hoodlums, these sawdust Caesars who can only find courage like rats hunting in packs, came to Margate with the avowed intent of interfering with the life and properties of its inhabitants." regarding the incident. There was fear that this problem would cause national panic but the problem and rivalry between the Mods and Rockers simply fizzled out. This conflict between the two youth cultures is now one of the most known in todays history, and now old folk, the original Mods and Rockers are said to sit and reminisce over a cup of tea.
MODS AND ROCKERS.