Most people don’t know this, but in 1943 there was an armed clash between Black and white American soldiers in England — called the Battle of Bamber Bridge. Black GIs were welcomed by locals, but white U.S. MPs tried to enforce segregation. When they came to arrest Black soldiers drinking at a pub, a fight broke out that turned into an overnight shootout. One Black soldier was killed. The British townspeople sided with the Black troops — even putting up "Black Troops Only" signs in protest of U.S. racism. It’s a powerful reminder that the fight against segregation wasn’t just at home — it followed Black soldiers overseas.
