PROCLAMATION. Whereas the nation depends for its progress and existence upon the work and services of women as well as of men; Whereas the State is organised for the mutual protection and co-operation of all its citizens, women as well as men; Whereas the Government conducts the national business by means of taxes levied upon women as well as men; Whereas the women of the Nation have made clear their need for political rights, and their desire to posses the Parliamentary Vote; [Wh]ereas working women, and women in the home, are in especial need of the protection of the Vote since legislation is interfering more and more with their interest; the [WOME]N'S FREEDOM LEAGUE calls upon the Government to remove the sex disability which deprives qualified women of their just right of voting in the Parliamentary elections, and DEMANDS the immediate extension of the Franchise to Women on the same terms as it is, or may be enjoyed by men. The Nation can never be free until the law recognises and establishes VOTES FOR WOMEN THE DEMAND IS JUST. THE REFORM INEVITABLE. DELAY IS UNWISE AND UNJUST. Therefore in the Name of Liberty and Humanity the Women's Freedom League claims the Vote THIS SESSION. W. CONQUEST & Co. PRINTERS. TOTTENHAM.
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On 28 October 1908, suffragettes invaded Parliament. The banner (pictured right) was unfurled from the Ladies' Gallery in the chamber of the House of Commons.
After unfurling the banner, Muriel Matters and Helen Fox from the Women's Freedom League chained themselves to the grille of the Ladies' Gallery. The authorities had to remove the grille before the locks could be filed off in a committee room.
The police report on the incident can be read on the subsequent pages (click Next). The banner protest was one of three simultaneous protests by suffragettes in the House of Commons that day. Nine women and two men were involved.
This banner is discussed by exhibition curator Mari Takayanagi in the Video Interviews.
