The Gordon Riots, beginning upon June 2nd, 1780 and lasting until June 7th were a popular uprising in London of between 40,000 and 60,000 people, as a response to the Government passing the Papal Act of 1778. The Papal Act sought to relieve "his Majesty's subjects, of the Catholic Religion, from certain penalties and disabilities imposed upon them during the reign of William III". The reign of William III ended in 1702, so these were quite old restrictions. The main restriction it over-turned was to enable Catholics to join the army (thinking of the time period, with the American Revolution and various wars occurring all around the world, this was a smart move to increase manpower).
Anyway, a Lord George Gordon began to try and overturn this Act in 1780, as he argued that the Act would ultimately lead to a return to absolute Monarchical rule, by way of the Catholics in the army turning on the English side the next time they were fighting a European power, and joining forces with whichever Catholic country they were fighting with, and conquering England. This whipped up a mob frenzy, and on June 2nd, the aforementioned 40,000 - 60,000 marched upon Parliament to say "No Popery".
This soon got out of hand. Newgate Prison was almost destroyed, the Clink Prison was destroyed, many Catholic churches and embassies were damaged, as was the Bank of England, Fleet Prison, King's Bench Prison and the home of the Lord Chief Justice. It got so bad that on June 7th the army was called in with orders to shoot at groups of 4 or more who failed to disperse when called upon. According to records, 285 were shot dead with many more injured.
Following the riots, there were some hangings for some of those involved, however Lord Gordon was acquitted in his trial. And the Act remained law.
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