Sat 12 Sept - Philip Ruff on the Sidney Street Siege, the identity of Peter the Painter and the Latvian national and socialist struggle.

When London Met Latvia

Philip Ruff discusses the Sidney Street Siege, the identity of Peter the Painter and the Latvian national and socialist struggle. On 3 January 1911, London witnessed a epic gun battle of state versus anarchist fought in the streets of Whitechapel/Stepney. After this terrible encounter in which unprecedented firepower was used in the civic streets a man hunt began for 'Peter the Painter' who eluded the authorities. Philip Ruff's investigative work in tracking the identity of the wanted figure has uncovered much hitherto unknown information about a much bigger political story that has been overlooked in histories of Europe. The struggle of Latvian people for independence, and the associated drive towards anarchism and socialism is brought to life through Philip's story of the real Peter the Painter, Janis Zhaklis.