The ‘People! Power! Protest!’ exhibition at Jersey museum explores the story of protest in Jersey, from the Corn Riots of 1769 to the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020. Jersey has a fascinating history of protest in the Island and the theme of the exhibition coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Code of Laws that was introduced in response to the Corn Riots.
The exhibition explores how the right to protest has shaped and influenced the Island that we know today, from historic protests, such as the Corn Riots, to more recent protests such as Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter.
Among the items on display is the official 18th century court records showing the redacted demands of the Corn Riots protestors, and the petition signed by thousands of people to try and save Queen’s Valley from being flooded in the 1980s. There are also the banners and placards from other protests over the years and photographs of significant post-war campaigns and demonstrations.
THE JERSEY CORN RIOTS
In 1769, landowners were exporting wheat from Jersey to England, where a bad harvest had driven up the price.
Frustrated with the resulting food shortages, rising prices, the unfair taxation system and Jersey’s power structure, around 500 hundred islanders stormed the Royal Court with 13 demands to alleviate their struggles on September 28th 1769.
Though there was no known loss of life, many came armed with sticks and clubs, and an usher was thrown over the court railing during the disturbance.
The event paved the way for major political reform on the island. In the reform, known as the Code of 1771, the Royal Court was stripped of its legislative powers, meaning that from 1771, only the States Assembly could create laws.
MY FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP
