RBS is rattled. After repeatedly refusing to meet with campaigners, their chairman, Sir Philip Hampton, has agreed to meet WDM along with our allies and indigenous Canadian activist Eriel Tchekwie Deranger. Whether they really want to hear about the suffering caused in Eriel’s community by their investments, or whether the public pressure is getting to them remains to be seen, but it shows what you’re doing is working.
In this, the week of RBS’ AGM, we need your help to pile on the pressure. We are planning a raft of activities to highlight public and media attention on their dirty and dangerous investments, including tar sands, fossil fuels and mining. You can help clean up RBS’s act
London, Wednesday 28 April – meet at the Royal Exchange at 8.30am.
Campaigners from the World Development Movement and People & Planet will be protesting at Threadneedle Street, a RBS branch in the heart of the City from 8.30am. We will be using a dramatic 'tar sands digger' on a tour of the RBS branch, the Treasury and the House of Commons to highlight the need to 'Get our money out of blood oil now'.
Edinburgh, Wednesday 28 April - meet at International Conference Centre on Morrison Street at 12.00 noon.
Across the UK, protests will be held outside RBS branches on day of the AGM and throughout the week: Cardiff, Sheffield, Kendal, Coventry, Cambridge, Preston and Bexhill, Bath, Loughborough, Chester, Glasgow.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Geoff Martin calls for Green vote
Geoff Martin, Labour's parliamentary candidate in Sutton and Cheam in 1992 and a leading campaigner in the fight to save services at St Helier Hospital today called on local voters to back Sutton's Green Candidate Peter Hickson.
Geoff Martin, who lives in Sutton and who was expelled by the Labour Party last year, said: "Voters sick and tired of the spin and sleaze of the main Parties have a real choice in Sutton and Cheam and I would urge them to vote for the Green candidate Peter Hickson and give the political elite a real kick up the backside.
The Greens oppose privatisation of services like the NHS and support workers rights and decent pay and pensions. I would call on all trade unionists and socialists in Sutton to make a positive decision and give Peter Hickson and the Green Party your vote.
The Labour Party in this area is dead in the water and traditional Labour voters who feel badly let down by 13 years of Blair and Brown have a real alternative in Peter Hickson and the Greens. My advice is don't stay at home getting angry on May 6th - get down the polling station and vote for Peter."
Notes for editors:
Geoff Martin was Labour's parliamentary candidate in Sutton and Cheam in 1992. A high profile trade unionist who was UNISON convenor for a decade, he was expelled by Labour last year after 30 years as a member. He was prominent in the long fight to save services at St.Helier hospital, Carshalton; and is currently a national officer of the RMT.a
Geoff Martin, who lives in Sutton and who was expelled by the Labour Party last year, said: "Voters sick and tired of the spin and sleaze of the main Parties have a real choice in Sutton and Cheam and I would urge them to vote for the Green candidate Peter Hickson and give the political elite a real kick up the backside.
The Greens oppose privatisation of services like the NHS and support workers rights and decent pay and pensions. I would call on all trade unionists and socialists in Sutton to make a positive decision and give Peter Hickson and the Green Party your vote.
The Labour Party in this area is dead in the water and traditional Labour voters who feel badly let down by 13 years of Blair and Brown have a real alternative in Peter Hickson and the Greens. My advice is don't stay at home getting angry on May 6th - get down the polling station and vote for Peter."
Notes for editors:
Geoff Martin was Labour's parliamentary candidate in Sutton and Cheam in 1992. A high profile trade unionist who was UNISON convenor for a decade, he was expelled by Labour last year after 30 years as a member. He was prominent in the long fight to save services at St.Helier hospital, Carshalton; and is currently a national officer of the RMT.a
Monday, 26 April 2010
Norwich
by Paul Frost
Hello everyone,
Some of us from the East Midlands spent the weekend helping out in Norwich South and it was a very positive experience.
The estate in Norwich South where I and other Mansfield members did our canvassing is one which is still represented by only Labour and Lib Dem Councillors, but we got a very good reception and the Labour vote in particular was quite soft. Clarke still appears to be holding onto a personal vote, but his periphery is melting away. It is great to see whole streets where even in Lab/Lib Council wards the number of Green posters matches or exceeds that of the other two! Outside of the "mansion zone" of Norwich we saw very few Conservative placards or posters at all in the Constituency - they appear to be concentrating on Norwich North. We now feel sure that with the help of people from non-target constituencies Adrian can achieve a very good result here.
If you want to help out your assistance will be very welcome -
Help is needed with leafleting, admin, door knocking and more. They are happy to put people up overnight and provide any training that's necessary. Contact Chris Williams on 01603 611 909 or email chris.williams@greenparty.org.uk.
Paul Frost
Mansfield
East Midlands
Hello everyone,
Some of us from the East Midlands spent the weekend helping out in Norwich South and it was a very positive experience.
The estate in Norwich South where I and other Mansfield members did our canvassing is one which is still represented by only Labour and Lib Dem Councillors, but we got a very good reception and the Labour vote in particular was quite soft. Clarke still appears to be holding onto a personal vote, but his periphery is melting away. It is great to see whole streets where even in Lab/Lib Council wards the number of Green posters matches or exceeds that of the other two! Outside of the "mansion zone" of Norwich we saw very few Conservative placards or posters at all in the Constituency - they appear to be concentrating on Norwich North. We now feel sure that with the help of people from non-target constituencies Adrian can achieve a very good result here.
If you want to help out your assistance will be very welcome -
Help is needed with leafleting, admin, door knocking and more. They are happy to put people up overnight and provide any training that's necessary. Contact Chris Williams on 01603 611 909 or email chris.williams@greenparty.org.uk.
Paul Frost
Mansfield
East Midlands
Councillor Reed wriggles: New labour and the minimum wage in Lambeth
By Joseph Healy
On Saturday afternoon I turned up in the centre of Brixton for an event to demand the Living Wage for Lambeth organised by the South London and Lambeth sections of London Citizens. A large crowd had gathered, representing churches and mosques in Lambeth. The political glitterati had also appeared – Tessa Jowell, Chukka Umunna (Labour candidate for Streatham and sometimes called the ‘British Obama’) Chris Nicholson (Lib Dem candidate for Streatham) the Labour Council Leader, Steve Reed (inventor of John Lewis Council model) and the Lib Dem group leader, Ashley Lumsden – no sign of the Tories.
I was aware that Becca Thackray, our one councillor on Lambeth Council had put a motion to Lambeth over a year ago asking for the Living Wage for contracted staff etc but it had been blocked by Labour. I had received a request from someone involved with London Citizens not to try and hijack the event so I only mentioned the motion and the fact that Greens had got the policy adopted elsewhere. I thought that the beaming council leader would get away with hypocritically stating that Labour supported it also.
However, I had tipped off London Citizens beforehand and was pleasantly surprised when they announced that Lambeth’s contracted staff were not receiving LW – they produced a cleaner from Brixton Market, who told how he was trying to live on £100 per week and had a child to support also. I spoke to him later and found out that he was a GMB member. The Council Leader’s face was a joy to behold. But better was to come. As each politician placed a symbolic ballot paper into a box indicating that they would support the LW
in Lambeth, they were addressed by a young Muslim activist from London Citizens who read out a formal statement. As Reed prepared to pledge to vote, the LC speaker addressed him saying: “Cllr Reed, you told us some months ago that all contracted staff in Lambeth were paid a Living Wage but we have found out that this is not the case. We met with the Head of Procurement and she told us that Veolia staff are not receiving it.” Once again he looked stunned and his Cabinet Member for Finances, who was standing nearby was panicking. He then addressed the crowd and said that the only reason Lambeth had not paid the LW was because the previous administration had not placed it in the contract and this meant that they had to wait for a new contract. This is not at all the case and a clause could have been placed in the contract for a Living Wage. Clearly the Cllr Reed was trying to wriggle out of his past and he then signed up to the promise to introduce the LW for all contracted staff, as did the Lib Dems. Tessa Jowell tried to rescue the situation by stating that the Labour Party’s manifesto was calling for a Living Wage for all staff (cleaners etc) employed at Whitehall. My question to her would be why this was not done before now. Ken Livingstone introduced the policy years ago.
A typical example of New Labour hypocrisy. I have told some of my friends in Lambeth UNISON about this and hopefully it will be brought to light.
On Saturday afternoon I turned up in the centre of Brixton for an event to demand the Living Wage for Lambeth organised by the South London and Lambeth sections of London Citizens. A large crowd had gathered, representing churches and mosques in Lambeth. The political glitterati had also appeared – Tessa Jowell, Chukka Umunna (Labour candidate for Streatham and sometimes called the ‘British Obama’) Chris Nicholson (Lib Dem candidate for Streatham) the Labour Council Leader, Steve Reed (inventor of John Lewis Council model) and the Lib Dem group leader, Ashley Lumsden – no sign of the Tories.
I was aware that Becca Thackray, our one councillor on Lambeth Council had put a motion to Lambeth over a year ago asking for the Living Wage for contracted staff etc but it had been blocked by Labour. I had received a request from someone involved with London Citizens not to try and hijack the event so I only mentioned the motion and the fact that Greens had got the policy adopted elsewhere. I thought that the beaming council leader would get away with hypocritically stating that Labour supported it also.
However, I had tipped off London Citizens beforehand and was pleasantly surprised when they announced that Lambeth’s contracted staff were not receiving LW – they produced a cleaner from Brixton Market, who told how he was trying to live on £100 per week and had a child to support also. I spoke to him later and found out that he was a GMB member. The Council Leader’s face was a joy to behold. But better was to come. As each politician placed a symbolic ballot paper into a box indicating that they would support the LW
in Lambeth, they were addressed by a young Muslim activist from London Citizens who read out a formal statement. As Reed prepared to pledge to vote, the LC speaker addressed him saying: “Cllr Reed, you told us some months ago that all contracted staff in Lambeth were paid a Living Wage but we have found out that this is not the case. We met with the Head of Procurement and she told us that Veolia staff are not receiving it.” Once again he looked stunned and his Cabinet Member for Finances, who was standing nearby was panicking. He then addressed the crowd and said that the only reason Lambeth had not paid the LW was because the previous administration had not placed it in the contract and this meant that they had to wait for a new contract. This is not at all the case and a clause could have been placed in the contract for a Living Wage. Clearly the Cllr Reed was trying to wriggle out of his past and he then signed up to the promise to introduce the LW for all contracted staff, as did the Lib Dems. Tessa Jowell tried to rescue the situation by stating that the Labour Party’s manifesto was calling for a Living Wage for all staff (cleaners etc) employed at Whitehall. My question to her would be why this was not done before now. Ken Livingstone introduced the policy years ago.
A typical example of New Labour hypocrisy. I have told some of my friends in Lambeth UNISON about this and hopefully it will be brought to light.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Nakba Day: Saturday 15 May,
On Nakba Day, tell the government to take action NOW:
Free Palestine !
Saturday 15 May, 12-2pm
Opposite 10 Downing Street , London SW1 (nearest tube Westminster )
We demand the government:
· End Israel ’s violations of international law, including ending its illegal occupation and building of settlements
· Support bringing Israeli war criminals to justice – no attack on universal jurisdiction
· End the siege on Gaza
· Ban settlement goods
· Suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement
· End the arms trade with Israel
Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, British Muslim Initiative, Stop the War Coalition, CND, Palestinian Forum in Britain
Supported by: Association of the Palestinian Community UK, Friends of Lebanon, the Green Party, ICAHD UK, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine, Pax Christi, Public and Commercial Services Union, UNISON, UNITE the Union, Zaytoun.
Free Palestine !
Saturday 15 May, 12-2pm
Opposite 10 Downing Street , London SW1 (nearest tube Westminster )
We demand the government:
· End Israel ’s violations of international law, including ending its illegal occupation and building of settlements
· Support bringing Israeli war criminals to justice – no attack on universal jurisdiction
· End the siege on Gaza
· Ban settlement goods
· Suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement
· End the arms trade with Israel
Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, British Muslim Initiative, Stop the War Coalition, CND, Palestinian Forum in Britain
Supported by: Association of the Palestinian Community UK, Friends of Lebanon, the Green Party, ICAHD UK, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine, Pax Christi, Public and Commercial Services Union, UNISON, UNITE the Union, Zaytoun.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Building a green left in Hackney (RED PEPPER 9 April 2010)
Building a green left in Hackney Matt Sellwood 9 April 2010
James O’Nions spoke to Matt Sellwood, a socialist standing for the Green Party in Hackney
You’re standing as a Green Party candidate in Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Diane Abbott’s constituency. Why should people who want to see more leftwing MPs in parliament support you and not her?
I suppose there are two main reasons. The first is that, simply put, I am to Diane’s left. While she has a decent voting record in parliament, it is by no means on a par with stalwart rebels such as Jeremy Corbyn or John McDonnell. For example, she voted for the abolition of the 10 pence tax rate, against a transparent inquiry into Iraq, and so on. Given that there is absolutely no chance of the Conservatives ever winning Hackney North, socialist voters are free to weigh up our differing records and positions and vote for the person with the views that most accord with their own. I’d strongly argue that, for a Red Pepper reader approaching politics from an anti-authoritarian socialist perspective, that would be me.
The second reason is that I believe the Labour Party to be a dead-end for progressing socialist politics in the long term. The internal democracy of the party has been gutted, and as Red Pepper recently pointed out in an excellent article, it is becoming increasingly difficult for left-wing people to be adopted as parliamentary candidates. Even if people think that Diane is the best thing since sliced bread (and given her outside media commitments and so on, not many socialist voters in Hackney North feel that way any longer), she will be replaced within the next couple of parliaments, almost certainly by a New Labour drone. At that point, we can either have a strong Green Party with a powerful base of local councillors and an increasing vote share in the borough, or New Labour will win by default. My argument is a medium term one, and I think that kind of thinking is actually what has been missing in so many recent socialist electoral efforts.
It’s also worth saying, of course, that some people will understandably simply not vote Labour any longer, regardless of who the MP is. I think that is an entirely understandable position, and it is important to provide an alternative for people on the left who cannot stomach voting for another five years of Gordon Brown.
What are the issues that you are particularly interested in as a candidate?
My personal focus is on issues of economic equality, particularly given the appalling levels of inequality within Hackney North. I have worked particularly with the local Keep Our NHS public group, to oppose the egregious and continuing privatisation of our health service. I am also national spokesperson on housing for the Green Party, and do a lot of work on supporting investment in housing to create local employment, improve conditions and move modes of housing provision towards more cooperative models.
I am also passionate about withdrawal from Afghanistan. During the Iraq War I broke into RAF Fairford and sat on the runway to stop B-52 bombers taking off, and I’m only sorry that we couldn’t build a bigger movement of direct action at that time. The foreign policy of the Labour government over the last decade should, alone, be enough reason for socialists to abandon it immediately. It makes my blood boil.
How would you define your personal politics?
I am an anti-authoritarian ecosocialist. Quite a mouthful, but simply put it means that I come from the libertarian left – the ‘Red Pepper left’, if you like. My vision for society is based on equality, environmental sustainability and local democracy – not just in our existing ‘political’ structures, but in the workplace as well. I believe that electoral politics is one route to change, but certainly not the only one, and often not even the most important one. Direct action by citizens, the building of workplace solidarity and community organisations are just as important. Electoral politics is just a tool to create the space for those things to happen, driven by ordinary people.
In his recent Red Pepper column, Mike Marqusee, whilst conceding that the Green party’s programme is far superior to the mainstream parties, raised concerns about its ‘middle-class managerialism’. How would you respond to this?
The Green Party is by no means perfect, and I think it is a fair criticism to say that we have not always been great at realising that electoral office is a means to an end, rather than the end in itself. It is very easy, in any political party, to get obsessed with what will win you votes, and what is ‘realistic’, as opposed to what is necessary for radical social change.
Having said that, the Green Party has definitely moved to the left in the ten years I have been a member, and at the same time has become significantly better organised and more coherent ideologically. We still need to continue some of the big discussions about strategy and wider social change, but the beauty of the party is that any member can contribute to that thinking. Any member can propose policy or organisational changes to our twice yearly conference and have the same voting power as Caroline Lucas MEP. Increasingly, socialists who used to be in both the Labour Party and the far-left grouplets are joining the Greens, which is leading to a reassessment of how we achieve social change, what getting elected means, and how to best use our elected positions to change the world.
You’re also standing for a winnable seat on Hackney council for Clissold ward. What’s your assessment of the Labour administration in Hackney?
They are technocrats, essentially. As far as I can tell, their message consists of pointing out that Hackney Council used to be a complete basket case (which is certainly true) and that now it is around about average. Their central policy is a constant programme of council tax freezes, made possible by basic delivery improvements in a council which was very badly run for decades. As for using the Council to change society, I see very little sign of that at all. Perhaps this is no surprise from a Labour group whose Chief Whip is Luke Akehurst, supporter of Hazel Blears for deputy Labour leader and PR consultant to arms companies (sorry, ‘defence contractors’).
I’m very much hoping to be part of a Green Group in the next Council term (at the moment we only have one councillor, which makes holding the administration to account much more difficult) which will push for a significantly more radical direction, including the devolution of powers and funds to ordinary people, rather than everything running through the elected Mayor, Jules Pipe CBE.
On a more long-term level, what do you think are the key strategies for progressive change in Hackney?
I think that, in common with elsewhere in the UK, progressive social change in Hackney is going to come through ordinary people organising in their communities and their workplaces, building up grassroots networks of solidarity and resistance. My belief is that this is much easier if supported and defended by a progressive, socialist party which occupies elected office. The Green Party is not ‘the solution’ for progressive change in this country, but it is by far the closest thing we currently have to a left-wing, democratic and grassroots electoral force, linked to community campaigning. I very much hope that Hackney Green Party will continue to develop into the kind of party which can support and encourage radical organisation in the borough.
Matt’s election blog can be found at http://mattsellwoodforhackney.blogspot.com
James O’Nions spoke to Matt Sellwood, a socialist standing for the Green Party in Hackney
You’re standing as a Green Party candidate in Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Diane Abbott’s constituency. Why should people who want to see more leftwing MPs in parliament support you and not her?
I suppose there are two main reasons. The first is that, simply put, I am to Diane’s left. While she has a decent voting record in parliament, it is by no means on a par with stalwart rebels such as Jeremy Corbyn or John McDonnell. For example, she voted for the abolition of the 10 pence tax rate, against a transparent inquiry into Iraq, and so on. Given that there is absolutely no chance of the Conservatives ever winning Hackney North, socialist voters are free to weigh up our differing records and positions and vote for the person with the views that most accord with their own. I’d strongly argue that, for a Red Pepper reader approaching politics from an anti-authoritarian socialist perspective, that would be me.
The second reason is that I believe the Labour Party to be a dead-end for progressing socialist politics in the long term. The internal democracy of the party has been gutted, and as Red Pepper recently pointed out in an excellent article, it is becoming increasingly difficult for left-wing people to be adopted as parliamentary candidates. Even if people think that Diane is the best thing since sliced bread (and given her outside media commitments and so on, not many socialist voters in Hackney North feel that way any longer), she will be replaced within the next couple of parliaments, almost certainly by a New Labour drone. At that point, we can either have a strong Green Party with a powerful base of local councillors and an increasing vote share in the borough, or New Labour will win by default. My argument is a medium term one, and I think that kind of thinking is actually what has been missing in so many recent socialist electoral efforts.
It’s also worth saying, of course, that some people will understandably simply not vote Labour any longer, regardless of who the MP is. I think that is an entirely understandable position, and it is important to provide an alternative for people on the left who cannot stomach voting for another five years of Gordon Brown.
What are the issues that you are particularly interested in as a candidate?
My personal focus is on issues of economic equality, particularly given the appalling levels of inequality within Hackney North. I have worked particularly with the local Keep Our NHS public group, to oppose the egregious and continuing privatisation of our health service. I am also national spokesperson on housing for the Green Party, and do a lot of work on supporting investment in housing to create local employment, improve conditions and move modes of housing provision towards more cooperative models.
I am also passionate about withdrawal from Afghanistan. During the Iraq War I broke into RAF Fairford and sat on the runway to stop B-52 bombers taking off, and I’m only sorry that we couldn’t build a bigger movement of direct action at that time. The foreign policy of the Labour government over the last decade should, alone, be enough reason for socialists to abandon it immediately. It makes my blood boil.
How would you define your personal politics?
I am an anti-authoritarian ecosocialist. Quite a mouthful, but simply put it means that I come from the libertarian left – the ‘Red Pepper left’, if you like. My vision for society is based on equality, environmental sustainability and local democracy – not just in our existing ‘political’ structures, but in the workplace as well. I believe that electoral politics is one route to change, but certainly not the only one, and often not even the most important one. Direct action by citizens, the building of workplace solidarity and community organisations are just as important. Electoral politics is just a tool to create the space for those things to happen, driven by ordinary people.
In his recent Red Pepper column, Mike Marqusee, whilst conceding that the Green party’s programme is far superior to the mainstream parties, raised concerns about its ‘middle-class managerialism’. How would you respond to this?
The Green Party is by no means perfect, and I think it is a fair criticism to say that we have not always been great at realising that electoral office is a means to an end, rather than the end in itself. It is very easy, in any political party, to get obsessed with what will win you votes, and what is ‘realistic’, as opposed to what is necessary for radical social change.
Having said that, the Green Party has definitely moved to the left in the ten years I have been a member, and at the same time has become significantly better organised and more coherent ideologically. We still need to continue some of the big discussions about strategy and wider social change, but the beauty of the party is that any member can contribute to that thinking. Any member can propose policy or organisational changes to our twice yearly conference and have the same voting power as Caroline Lucas MEP. Increasingly, socialists who used to be in both the Labour Party and the far-left grouplets are joining the Greens, which is leading to a reassessment of how we achieve social change, what getting elected means, and how to best use our elected positions to change the world.
You’re also standing for a winnable seat on Hackney council for Clissold ward. What’s your assessment of the Labour administration in Hackney?
They are technocrats, essentially. As far as I can tell, their message consists of pointing out that Hackney Council used to be a complete basket case (which is certainly true) and that now it is around about average. Their central policy is a constant programme of council tax freezes, made possible by basic delivery improvements in a council which was very badly run for decades. As for using the Council to change society, I see very little sign of that at all. Perhaps this is no surprise from a Labour group whose Chief Whip is Luke Akehurst, supporter of Hazel Blears for deputy Labour leader and PR consultant to arms companies (sorry, ‘defence contractors’).
I’m very much hoping to be part of a Green Group in the next Council term (at the moment we only have one councillor, which makes holding the administration to account much more difficult) which will push for a significantly more radical direction, including the devolution of powers and funds to ordinary people, rather than everything running through the elected Mayor, Jules Pipe CBE.
On a more long-term level, what do you think are the key strategies for progressive change in Hackney?
I think that, in common with elsewhere in the UK, progressive social change in Hackney is going to come through ordinary people organising in their communities and their workplaces, building up grassroots networks of solidarity and resistance. My belief is that this is much easier if supported and defended by a progressive, socialist party which occupies elected office. The Green Party is not ‘the solution’ for progressive change in this country, but it is by far the closest thing we currently have to a left-wing, democratic and grassroots electoral force, linked to community campaigning. I very much hope that Hackney Green Party will continue to develop into the kind of party which can support and encourage radical organisation in the borough.
Matt’s election blog can be found at http://mattsellwoodforhackney.blogspot.com
Friday, 16 April 2010
It is left to the Green Party to represent the view of 64% of the British public when it comes to the war in Afghanistan
As Johann Hari writes today in the Independent, it is left to the Green Party to represent the view of 64% of the British public when it comes to the war in Afghanistan. Last night’s debate between Clegg, Brown and Cameron concentrated on helicopter numbers and troop equipment and did not once address the underlying issues of the war nor the demand of the British public to end it and bring the troops home. Only the Green Party has had the moral courage to challenge this war, which continues to take lives and resources at a vast rate and which even President Karzai is now questioning the logic of.
Joseph Healy
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Vauxhall and Stop the War Coalition Steering Committee Member
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Brighton Climate Change Meeting
Free Public Event: Thursday 15 April 2010, 6-830pm
Large Meeting Room, Friends Meeting House, 173 Euston Road NW1
(opposite Euston station)
Scientists say we’re running out of time to stop dangerous climate change. At the same time unfair trade is pushing millions more into poverty. How do we move to a low carbon and just global trading system?
Come and take part in the debate
Speakers
- Meena Raman, Secretary General of Friends of the Earth Malaysia
- Ronnie Hall, Campaigns Coordinator, Global Forest Coalition
- Angelica Navarro, Bolivian Ambassador to the UN (tbc)
- South African Municipal Workers Union representative
Click here to register your attendance - this is to help us with arrangements for the venue.
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BNP will be holding an anti immigration protest outside the Home Office, Lunar House, Croydon THIS THURSDAY
From South London Anti-Fascist Group:
We have just found out that the BNP will be holding an anti immigration
protest outside the Home Office, Lunar House, Croydon THIS THURSDAY
Lunar House management allowed the BNP to protest last year, and this year
they have bowed to anti fascist and union pressure and said that this year they can not demonstrate.
However, it is now the police that are refusing to stop the event going ahead as they say that Lunar
house is public property.
The protest will be on the afternoon of Thursday 15th at 2pm at the front of Lunar house - at a time when many families will be waiting to speak with staff in the Home office.
This is of course unacceptable and the South London Anti Fascist Action Group will be supporting PCS comrades in the counter demo. Please join us from 2pm at Lunar House, if you would like to meet at the station please give me a call.
To sign up to the South London Anti Fascist Action Group mailing list please
email
southlondon-antifascists@aktivix.org
We have just found out that the BNP will be holding an anti immigration
protest outside the Home Office, Lunar House, Croydon THIS THURSDAY
Lunar House management allowed the BNP to protest last year, and this year
they have bowed to anti fascist and union pressure and said that this year they can not demonstrate.
However, it is now the police that are refusing to stop the event going ahead as they say that Lunar
house is public property.
The protest will be on the afternoon of Thursday 15th at 2pm at the front of Lunar house - at a time when many families will be waiting to speak with staff in the Home office.
This is of course unacceptable and the South London Anti Fascist Action Group will be supporting PCS comrades in the counter demo. Please join us from 2pm at Lunar House, if you would like to meet at the station please give me a call.
To sign up to the South London Anti Fascist Action Group mailing list please
southlondon-antifascists@aktivix.org
NUT doing their bit on Saturday. Message sent to NUT members:
We need your help to stop the BNP in Barking and Dagenham. On 6 May there is a real chance of the BNP taking control of education in Barking and Dagenham. They are already the official opposition and they are making a huge effort to win overall control of their first council in the May elections.
NUT members from across London and the South East are helping their colleagues in Barking and Dagenham to ensure that every household is leafleted and canvassed.
Please join us if you can on Saturday 17 April, when we will be supporting the HOPE not hate campaign day of action alongside colleagues from UNISON, PCS, RMT, Usdaw and Unite. We need to deliver a special 12-page newspaper (which has been sponsored by the NUT) to properties in the borough.
We will be meeting from 10.30am at Transport House, 50-52 New Road, Dagenham RM9 6YS. There will be campaigning sessions through until 5.00pm, lunch will be provided and there will be free entertainment from Billy Bragg!
We hope to see you in Dagenham on 17 April
NUT members from across London and the South East are helping their colleagues in Barking and Dagenham to ensure that every household is leafleted and canvassed.
Please join us if you can on Saturday 17 April, when we will be supporting the HOPE not hate campaign day of action alongside colleagues from UNISON, PCS, RMT, Usdaw and Unite. We need to deliver a special 12-page newspaper (which has been sponsored by the NUT) to properties in the borough.
We will be meeting from 10.30am at Transport House, 50-52 New Road, Dagenham RM9 6YS. There will be campaigning sessions through until 5.00pm, lunch will be provided and there will be free entertainment from Billy Bragg!
We hope to see you in Dagenham on 17 April
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Support the demonstration in London on 10 April (statement first published Guardian 6/4/10)
Since 1948, Britain has supported the principle of social solidarity through state pensions, healthcare, education and other public services provided by society as whole. This idea is now under threat.
Whoever wins the next general election will be targeting the welfare state and public services as a way of cutting public expenditure to pay for the mistakes of the bankers and speculators. Never was so much put at risk by so few.
What they seem to forget is that good public services are important to everyone at every stage of their life from the cradle to grave. That is why we are supporting the demonstration in London on 10 April to remind all politicians that a civilised, compassionate society needs a welfare state and decent public services that pool life's risks and provide support to all who need it, irrespective of their individual ability to pay.
Brendan Barber TUC, Lee Billingham Love Music Hate Racism, Christine Blower NUT, Brian Caton POA, Bob Crow RMT, Jeremy Dear NUJ, Gerry Doherty TSSA, Peter Fisher NHS Consultants' Association, Dot Gibson National Pensioners Convention, Sally Hunt UCU, Tony Kearns CWU, Chris Keates NASUWT, Paul Kenny GMB, Prof Harry Keen NHS Support Federation, Jonathan Ledger Napo, Hamish
Meldrum BMA, Lesley Mercer Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, Gerry Morrissey Bectu Keith Norman Aslef, Peter Pendle ACM/AMiE, Dave Prentis Unison, Alan Ritchie Ucatt, Wendy Savage Keep Our NHS Public, Mark Serwotka PCS, Eileen Short Defend Council Housing, Derek Simpson Unite, Vanessa Stanislas Disability Alliance, Christine Steel Carers Poverty Alliance, Gordon Taylor PFA, Tony Woodley Unite, Matt Wrack FBU
Whoever wins the next general election will be targeting the welfare state and public services as a way of cutting public expenditure to pay for the mistakes of the bankers and speculators. Never was so much put at risk by so few.
What they seem to forget is that good public services are important to everyone at every stage of their life from the cradle to grave. That is why we are supporting the demonstration in London on 10 April to remind all politicians that a civilised, compassionate society needs a welfare state and decent public services that pool life's risks and provide support to all who need it, irrespective of their individual ability to pay.
Brendan Barber TUC, Lee Billingham Love Music Hate Racism, Christine Blower NUT, Brian Caton POA, Bob Crow RMT, Jeremy Dear NUJ, Gerry Doherty TSSA, Peter Fisher NHS Consultants' Association, Dot Gibson National Pensioners Convention, Sally Hunt UCU, Tony Kearns CWU, Chris Keates NASUWT, Paul Kenny GMB, Prof Harry Keen NHS Support Federation, Jonathan Ledger Napo, Hamish
Meldrum BMA, Lesley Mercer Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, Gerry Morrissey Bectu Keith Norman Aslef, Peter Pendle ACM/AMiE, Dave Prentis Unison, Alan Ritchie Ucatt, Wendy Savage Keep Our NHS Public, Mark Serwotka PCS, Eileen Short Defend Council Housing, Derek Simpson Unite, Vanessa Stanislas Disability Alliance, Christine Steel Carers Poverty Alliance, Gordon Taylor PFA, Tony Woodley Unite, Matt Wrack FBU
Friday, 2 April 2010
Stop the racist EDL in Dudley Saturday April 3rd:
Islamophobic racists from Stop the Islamisation of Europe and the English Defence League tried to demonstrate in Harrow late last year against the new building for Harrow Central Mosque. They spread lying rumours that the mosque would be a centre for extremism and the imposition of Sharia law, but the people of Harrow refused to let these racists divide them. They recognised that this attack on Harrow's Muslims was an attack on the whole of Harrow's community - one of the most diverse yet one of the most united and harmonious communities in the country.
On Saturday 3rd April, the English Defence League, which has close links to the Nazi British National Party, plans to demonstrate in Dudley against the building of a new Mosque in that town. As we did in Harrow, we are determined to stand up against all attempts to stir up hatred against Muslims and divide a united community. Unite Against Fascism will be part of a broad-based, peaceful demonstration of solidarity with Dudley's Muslim community.
West London UAF and Brent & Harrow UAF have booked a coach to take supporters to the demonstration which assembles at 11 am in Stafford St in Dudley and will be leaving Dudley to return at 4.30 pm. It will pick up from Ealing Broadway Station (Haven Green) at 7.30 am and at Harrow on the Hill Station (back entrance off Lowlands Rd) at 8.00 am. Tickets are £15 waged/£5 unwaged and HE students/£2 FE and school students. ADVANCE BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. You can reserve your place on the coach by emailing uafbrentandharrow@googlemail.com or ringing or texting 07951 084 101.
On Saturday 3rd April, the English Defence League, which has close links to the Nazi British National Party, plans to demonstrate in Dudley against the building of a new Mosque in that town. As we did in Harrow, we are determined to stand up against all attempts to stir up hatred against Muslims and divide a united community. Unite Against Fascism will be part of a broad-based, peaceful demonstration of solidarity with Dudley's Muslim community.
West London UAF and Brent & Harrow UAF have booked a coach to take supporters to the demonstration which assembles at 11 am in Stafford St in Dudley and will be leaving Dudley to return at 4.30 pm. It will pick up from Ealing Broadway Station (Haven Green) at 7.30 am and at Harrow on the Hill Station (back entrance off Lowlands Rd) at 8.00 am. Tickets are £15 waged/£5 unwaged and HE students/£2 FE and school students. ADVANCE BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. You can reserve your place on the coach by emailing uafbrentandharrow@googlemail.com or ringing or texting 07951 084 101.
Save Our Hospitals - meeting called by Ealing Trades Council Wednesday April 7th
NHS London has drawn up plans for changes to London's Health Services which have been leaked to campaigners. They could result in the closure of up to a third of London's hospital beds. Locally, Ealing Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital are threatened with losing all accident and emergency provision and being downgraded to glorified poyclinics. Charing X Hospital could be closed. Dr John Lister of London Health Emergency has analysed these proposals and he will be the speaker at a meeting to be held at West London Trades Union Club, 33 High St Acton W3 on Wednesday April 7th at 7.30 pm. These changes will affect the whole of our area, not just Ealing, so please support it if you can. A leaflet with more detail is attached
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