Votes for Women. Mrs. Despard and Mrs. Cobden Sanderson, waiting for Mr. Asquith. Arrest August 19th, 1909.

Postcard with photograph captioned 'Votes for Women. Mrs. Despard and Mrs. Cobden Sanderson, Waiting for Mr Asquith. Arrested August 19th 1909. Women's Freedom League' This event resulted in the arrest of 8 members of the WFL - Charlotte Despard, Anne Cobden-Sanderson, Lilian Hicks, Edith Cranston, Marianne Hyde, Lillie Boileau, Janet Bunten and Irene Tillard. The protest was part of the 'The Great Watch,' a continuous picket of the House of Commons by the Women's Freedom League throughout the Summer of 1909 as they attempted to achieve an audience with the Government. The WFL based their 'right to petition' parliament on a statute issued during the reign of Charles II and the Bill of Rights of 1688. This resulted in the second prison sentence Despard served for her suffragette activities, though she was released after five days owing to ill health. Cobden Sanderson did not go to prison, as her fine was paid anonymously.