On this day, the political activist and organiser of the British suffragette movement, Emmeline Pankhurst, was sentenced to three years in prison (she only served four months) for incitement to place an explosive in a building at Walton, Surrey. Pankhurst was the founder of the Women’s Social and Political Union, an organisation dedicated to “deeds, not words”. The WSPU soon became known for organising physical confrontations: smashing windows, assaulting police officers, bombings and arson, and many WSPU activists were sent to prison where they staged hunger strikes to receive better conditions. Although criticised for her militant tactics, Pankhurst’s work is widely recognised as a crucial element in achieving women’s suffrage in the United Kingdom.
Assaulting police officers, bombings and arson… Yeah, they were supposed to be funny, but “smashing windows”? It was meant to be a right blast!!! In winter??? Massoccia!!!
They resorted to smashing windows in winter when none of the other methods brought results.