Father Christmas arrested protesting Oxford Street traffic in 1971
A demonstration organised by the Oxford Street Action Committee aimed to highlight pollution and pedestrian safety concerns.
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More than 50 years before Oxford Street became car-free, John Davey was arrested while protesting the street's heavy traffic. On December 18, 1971, Davey, then 28, dressed as Father Christmas to draw attention to pollution and pedestrian safety concerns on London's busiest shopping street.
A demonstration against pollution
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Davey and other campaigners, part of the newly formed Oxford Street Action Committee, planned the demonstration to present an alternative vision for the street. Lizzie Davey, John's wife, recalled the significant exhaust fumes and dusty air prevalent at the time. With four lanes of traffic running along Oxford Street, police often had to stop shoppers from spilling into the road during peak hours.
The couple, who were involved with the youth wing of the Liberal Party, had previously organised a campaign using balloons to bring fresh air into the city, as pollution was not widely discussed then. For the Oxford Street demonstration, a chain was concealed in a pram. At 11am, as the traffic lights turned red, campaigners chained the lights to the poles, temporarily blocking traffic.
Policemen rugby-tackled everyone in sight. The chain was hauled away, the lights went back to green and it was all over.
John Davey
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The blockade lasted only moments before police intervened. John Davey was arrested and charged with obstruction for waving a pole with balloons attached, which the police deemed a danger to passers-by. He was fined £2, with an additional £2 in costs, for the incident on his birthday, the last Saturday before Christmas.
A lasting impact
Despite the brief duration of the protest, Lizzie Davey noted the significant publicity generated by the arrest of 'Santa Claus' at Christmastime. John Davey's daughter, Helen, believes her father would be pleased with the current state of Oxford Street, observing the improvements in London's air quality and the introduction of measures like clean-air zones and electric vehicles.
Questions this report answers
+Why was John Davey protesting on Oxford Street in 1971?
John Davey was protesting against the heavy traffic on Oxford Street in 1971. He aimed to highlight concerns about air pollution and pedestrian safety on the busy shopping street.
+What happened during the protest?
Dressed as Father Christmas, John Davey and other campaigners chained traffic lights to temporarily halt traffic. The demonstration was short-lived, as police quickly intervened and arrested Davey.
+What were the consequences for John Davey?
John Davey was arrested and charged with obstruction. He was fined £2, with an additional £2 in costs, for his role in chaining the traffic lights.
+Who organised the protest?
The protest was organised by the Oxford Street Action Committee, a group formed to advocate for changes to the street's traffic and environmental conditions.
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