At least half the speakers are preachers. Issues of race, religion and nationality are discussed obsessively. The place has changed over the years: the Sunday afternoon crowds are smaller; there are fewer platforms belonging to organised groups, a narrower range of speakers, and the proportion of religious meetings has increased.
The demographics of both speakers and crowd have also shifted: now at least as many of the preachers are Muslim as Christian. Nevertheless, despite these changes, Speakers' Corner retains the unique buzz generated by the intensity and eccentricity of face-to-face argument.
What's going on in the park becomes clearer with repeat visits. Some of the regulars - speakers, hecklers and observers - have been going there for years. Some of the arguments, particularly those involving small groups debating the merits or otherwise of Bible and Koran, continue from one week to the next.
Some of the heckles, hilarious at first hearing, become quite stale fourth time around. The meetings of Heiko Khoo, a Marxist who has spoken in the park since , draw some of the biggest crowds with erudite but accessible discussions on global political and economic issues. Mr Khoo's meetings are reminiscent in style, if not content, to the debates around the the platform of Lord Soper, Methodist minister, socialist and pacifist, who spoke regularly at Speakers' Corner from until his death in The anarchist and alternative comedian Tony Allen, who made the transition from heckler to speaker in the mids, and writer, film-maker and internationalist Ishmahil Blagrove, who first took to a ladder in the s, can both still be heard from time to time.
Mr Blagrove was one of a new generation of young, black British speakers who came to talk, heckle and debate on issues of racism, imperialism and black identity in the s and s - sometimes in anger, often with great humour - and others with similar interests also still make occasional visits.
Intense political discussions conducted in Arabic are a new feature of recent years: frustrating for non-Arabic speakers, but a reflection of the demographic changes in London as a whole and particularly of the area neighbouring Hyde Park. Even some of the religious debates - intelligent design is a favourite topic - can become intriguingly philosophical. This is what genuine, unmediated, public debate looks and sounds like. In both style and content, it's quite different from the frequently abusive, often anonymous exchanges on Twitter and other online social media platforms.
In addition, Hyde Park's long tradition of accommodating large public demonstrations and rallies continues today. From to the suffragettes held large and small meetings in Hyde Park as part of their campaign for votes for women. In the summer of they had a meeting every week near to the Reformer's tree. During the Women's Day of 21 June , women marched to Hyde Park to hear 20 different speaking platforms. In the Police banned the Women's Social and Political Union from meeting in the park, but the suffragettes defiantly continued to do so.
By the s "soapbox" orators were to be found in marketplaces, street corners and parks across the country. Of the estimated one hundred speaking places found weekly in London between and , Speakers' Corner is the last to survive. Speakers' Corner was the focus of a huge rally in February against military action in Iraq.
The number of people who attended was estimated at between , and two million. The rally was one of the most recent in Hyde Park about war. In , there were demonstrations about the Franco-Austrian War.
Since an act of parliament in , Speakers' Corner has provided a focus for people to express their views about a range of topics from voting rights to Sunday trading. Be the first to hear our latest news and read about upcoming events, learning and volunteering opportunities, fundraising and park improvement projects when you sign up to our mailing list. The Royal Parks web site uses cookies. By browsing you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our cookie policy. History of Speakers' Corner The beginning of free speech Close to this spot, about years ago, people were still being hanged at the infamous Tyburn Gallows.
Speakers' Corner today The origins of Speakers' Corner as it is known today stem from , when a meeting of the Reform League demanding the extension of the franchise, was suppressed by the Government. Speaking out against war Speakers' Corner was the focus of a huge rally in February against military action in Iraq. Help us improve our website by providing your feedback.
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