NEWPORT RISING FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 4, 2022 | film by Adam Klis

On 4 November 1839, Chartist protestors, stormed the town of Newport and planned on liberating fellow Chartists who had been taken prisoner. Several Chartist were killed by troops who opened fire and shot them. The Chartist leaders were convicted of treason and sentenced to death. Newport Rising Festival celebrate and commemorate the Chartist Rising of 1839. The festival includes a line-up of live music, theatre, film , workshops and events at venues across the city centre.

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The Newport Rising, also known as the Newport Chartist Uprising, was a significant event in Welsh history during the 19th century. It took place in November 1839 and was a pivotal moment in the struggle for political reform in Britain. Here is the story of the Newport Rising:

Prelude to the Rising:
In the early 19th century, Britain was undergoing a period of rapid industrialization and social change. Despite these changes, the country's political system remained largely unchanged. The right to vote was restricted to a small portion of the population, mainly wealthy landowners and aristocrats, while the majority of people, including industrial workers, had no say in the political process.
Wales, with its growing industrial towns and cities, was not immune to these issues. The working-class population faced harsh living and working conditions, with little representation in government. As discontent grew, so did the demand for political reform.
The Chartists:
The Chartists were a political movement advocating for democratic reform in Britain. They campaigned for six key demands, including universal male suffrage, voting by secret ballot, and equal electoral districts. The movement gained traction throughout the 1830s, drawing support from workers, artisans, and intellectuals across the country.
In Wales, the Chartist movement found fertile ground among the industrial workers of towns like Newport, where poverty and disenfranchisement were widespread. Chartists organized meetings, rallies, and petition drives, calling for the implementation of their demands.
The March on Newport:
By the late 1830s, frustration among Welsh Chartists reached a boiling point. The government's rejection of the People's Charter, which outlined the six demands for political reform, further fueled discontent. In response, the Chartists began planning a mass demonstration to demand their rights.
On November 3, 1839, thousands of Chartists from across South Wales converged on Newport. Armed with makeshift weapons and banners bearing slogans like "Universal Suffrage" and "Votes for All," they marched towards the Westgate Hotel, where they believed government officials were meeting.
The Battle of Newport:
As the Chartists approached the Westgate Hotel, they were met by a small contingent of soldiers and police officers. The authorities, fearing a rebellion, ordered the Chartists to disperse. When the demonstrators refused, violence erupted.
The ensuing clash, known as the Battle of Newport, was chaotic and bloody. The Chartists, poorly armed and outnumbered, faced off against trained soldiers and law enforcement officers. Despite their bravery, they were no match for the superior firepower of the government forces.
Aftermath and Legacy:
The Battle of Newport ended in defeat for the Chartists. Scores of demonstrators were killed or injured, while many others were arrested and imprisoned. The leaders of the uprising, including Chartist icon John Frost, were tried and convicted of high treason. Some were sentenced to death, though their sentences were later commuted to transportation to Australia.
Despite the failure of the Newport Rising to achieve its immediate goals, its legacy endured. The event brought attention to the plight of industrial workers and helped galvanize support for the Chartist cause. Over the following decades, many of the reforms advocated by the Chartists, such as universal male suffrage and the secret ballot, were gradually implemented.

Today, the Newport Rising is remembered as a symbol of the struggle for democracy and social justice in Wales. The sacrifices made by the Chartists continue to inspire movements for political reform around the world, serving as a reminder of the power of ordinary people to effect change.