Demonstrators storm the council chamber protesting the Poll Tax 

On 7 March 1990 Southampton City councillors met to set rates for the newly introduced Community Charge. The meeting, held in the Civic Centre, was called to a halt after just a few minutes amid angry demonstrations against the highly unpopular tax, dubbed the 'poll tax'.

The event, as seen in this footage filmed by Southampton's City Eye, shows the turbulent moments when protesters stormed the council chambers eventually barricading themselves into the public gallery. Desperate protestors climbed through windows and onto the building's roof, all the while beleaguered by police attempting to regain control of the situation.

The unrest is tangible from the outset in this video with angry crowds destermined to have their voice heard. The protestors, though vocal and clearly disruptive to the council proceedings, do not appear to be behaving criminally; at least not at a level to explain the police response.

The riot that ensued in the city saw at least eight people arrested, and large numbers of police brought in from other areas to contain the crowds.

City Eye began its journey as Southampton Film and Video Co-operative in April 1986 and 'exists to inspire and promote film and digital culture in the region'. Based in Southampton, the organisation remains operational to this day and aims to support the community, arts organisations, individuals, emerging and established talent in the achievement of their filmmaking and digital goals. The City Eye collection at WFSA holds an incredibly rich range of content evidencing the lives of Southampton communities through the 1980s and 1990s, including a high proportion of material produced by and featuring members of Black and minority communities.