Own a classic Observer photograph from the Women's Liberation Movement march, 1971

On Saturday 6 March 1971, women from across the UK gathered in central London to join the first national demonstration by the newly formed Women’s Liberation Movement. Observer photographers Jane Bown and Tony McGrath documented the event for the following day’s paper.

Main image: The symbols of subjection on the Women’s Liberation Movement march of 6 March 1971. Photograph: Jane Bown/The Observer

  • Demonstrators at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park rally under symbols of subjection of women: a silk stocking, a shopping bag, an apron and washing-up gloves attached to a mannequin
    Demonstrators at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park rally under symbols of subjection of women: a silk stocking, a shopping bag, an apron and washing-up gloves attached to a mannequin

  • The Observer’s John Heilpern (JH) reported: ‘About 2,500 women, many with husbands and boyfriends marched from Speaker’s Corner to Trafalgar Square in a cruel blizzard which might have deterred lesser women’
    The Observer’s John Heilpern (JH) reported: ‘About 2,500 women, many with husbands and boyfriends marched from Speaker’s Corner to Trafalgar Square in a cruel blizzard which might have deterred lesser women’

  • Placards are collected before the start of the march
    Placards are collected before the start of the march

  • A demonstrator with a novel ‘Not For Sale’ sign
    A demonstrator with a novel ‘Not For Sale’ sign

  • JH: ‘It was a carnival of the under-privileged majority. “Equal pay is not enough” read one banner. “We want the moon”’
    JH: ‘It was a carnival of the under-privileged majority. “Equal pay is not enough” read one banner. “We want the moon”’

  • A young woman and her dog on the march
    A young woman and her dog on the march

  • This image by Jane Bown featured on page one of the Observer on 7 March 1971
    This image by Jane Bown featured on page one of the Observer on 7 March 1971

  • JH: ‘“ They need shooting” said a spectator in army uniform. But most onlookers were either sympathetic or bemused’
    JH: ‘“ They need shooting” said a spectator in army uniform. But most onlookers were either sympathetic or bemused’

  • A demonstrator engages with passers-by
    A demonstrator engages with passers-by

  • JH: ‘The atmosphere was colourful, predominantly young and middle class. there were many children and babies – a reminder of the Aldermaston marches’
    JH: ‘The atmosphere was colourful, predominantly young and middle class. there were many children and babies – a reminder of the Aldermaston marches’

  • The Guardian’s Jill Tweedie (JT) described her fellow marchers in her Monday column: ‘Long and short and thin and fat, quiet, middle-aged ladies in careful make-up, bare-faced girls with voices loud as crows, Maoists, liberals, socialists, lesbians, students, professionals, manual workers, spinsters, wives, widows, mothers.’
    The Guardian’s columnist Jill Tweedie (JT) described her fellow marchers: ‘Long and short and thin and fat, quiet, middle-aged ladies in careful make-up, bare-faced girls with voices loud as crows, Maoists, liberals, socialists, lesbians, students, professionals, manual workers, spinsters, wives, widows, mothers.’

  • JH: ‘The demonstration was about four basic issues; equal pay; equal education and job opportunities; free 24-hour nurseries; free contraception and abortion on demand. The last got the biggest cheers when it was read out in Trafalgar Square’
    JH: ‘The demonstration was about four basic issues; equal pay; equal education and job opportunities; free 24-hour nurseries; free contraception and abortion on demand. The last got the biggest cheers when it was read out in Trafalgar Square’

  • JT: ‘One two three four we want a bloody damn sight more. Biology isn’t destiny. Equal pay now. Bed or wed, are you free to choose? I’m not just a delectable screwing machine. Capitalism breeds sexploitation. Freedom’
    JT: ‘One two three four we want a bloody damn sight more. Biology isn’t destiny. Equal pay now. Bed or wed, are you free to choose? I’m not just a delectable screwing machine. Capitalism breeds sexploitation. Freedom’

  • JH: ‘ The demands are only part of a much broader issue; an attack on the assumption that man is superior to woman’
    JH: ‘ The demands are only part of a much broader issue; an attack on the assumption that man is superior to woman’

  • JT: ‘And when we arrived at Trafalgar Square the demo arranged itself into a symbol so apt as to seem planned. One girl at the mike, four girl photographers, and a solid phalanx of great, grey, brawny men blocking the view of the women. Get out, shrieked the women, get away, get back, and the men, genuinely startled, got back’
    JT: ‘And when we arrived at Trafalgar Square the demo arranged itself into a symbol so apt as to seem planned. One girl at the mike, four girl photographers, and a solid phalanx of great, grey, brawny men blocking the view of the women. Get out, shrieked the women, get away, get back, and the men, genuinely startled, got back’

  • JT: ‘Communicators themselves, they communicated the women’s case – men, men, men, grouped at the foot of a soaring phallus with Nelson, a man, at the top. “Look at you all,” said a girl to a male photographer. “If that doesn’t tell you something about equal job opportunities, I don’t know what will”’
    JT: ‘Communicators themselves, they communicated the women’s case – men, men, men, grouped at the foot of a soaring phallus with Nelson, a man, at the top. “Look at you all,” said a girl to a male photographer. “If that doesn’t tell you something about equal job opportunities, I don’t know what will”’

  • JH: ‘Miss Germaine Greer, author of the best-selling book The Female Eunuch was there, too, though marching anonymously in a great black monk’s habit’
    JH: ‘Miss Germaine Greer, author of the best-selling book The Female Eunuch was there, too, though marching anonymously in a great black monk’s habit’

  • JT: ‘Then the speeches were over, vast congratulatory relief filled the square. The demonstration had happened (miracle) and it had happened well (greater miracle). Girls stood in groups, stamping and chatting’
    JT: ‘Then the speeches were over, vast congratulatory relief filled the square. The demonstration had happened (miracle) and it had happened well (greater miracle). Girls stood in groups, stamping and chatting’
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