It is just two weeks since the fantastic demonstration in London on 26th March which has given strength and determination to many to fight the cuts and build resistance wherever they can. In the week before the demo UCU lecturers went out nationally on strike in defence of pay, pensions and education. Locally UCU were also out on strike today at Liverpool Hope University in protest at managment proposals to slash jobs by up to 100 posts this year. The teachers' union NUT also staged a one day strike at Shorefields school in protest at proposals to become an academy. Management at Maghull High school in Sefton are also considering Academy status for the school. If you are interested in finding out more or becoming involved in either of these anti academies campaigns please email me. The fightback has started and with local elections in a month it is not surprising that there is a lot going on in the next few weeks. If you know of a local campaign, event or group that is not listed please let me know so I can send it out on the next bulletin.
Next Merseyside Right to Work Organising Committee Meeting (open to all) - Tuesday 19th April 7.30pm venue tbc
Activists' diary:
Thurs 14th April 2011: BBC Question Time in LiverpoolThe BBC's Question Time will be broadcast from Liverpool - no information yet on panellists or venue.
To apply to be in the audience go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/1858613.stm
Fri 22nd - Sat 30th April 2011: Liverpool Working Class Music FestivalLoads of events and gigs in Liverpool, for more information go to: www.workingclassmusic.org.uk
Thurs 28th April 2011: Workers' Memorial DayUnite the Union has organised a rally in Liverpool to commemorate all those who are killed or injured at work every year - "Between April 09 and March 10, 152 people died at work. There were 26,061 major injuries, such as amputations, burns and broken bones. 1.3 million people were suffering from an illness believed to have been caused or made worse by their current or past work. Yet, this Government has announced plans to remove Health & Safety legislation and cut the HSE budget by 35%. This will mean poorer enforcement and more workplace illnesses, injuries and deaths."Action: Assemble South Piazza of George's Dock Building, Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DD at 1pm. If you can't be at the demonstration organise a minute's silence in your workplace.
Sun 1st May 2011: May Day RallyOrganised by Merseyside Trades Council. Times and start point to be confirmed.
Future events:
17-21st September 2011: LibDem annual conference, BirminghamThere will be a day of protest called and transport will be organised by Right to Work.
2nd-5th October 2011: Conservative annual conference, ManchesterThere will be a day of protest called and transport will be organised by Right to Work.
In addition we are considering a march from Liverpool to the conference, in particular of unemployed young people to highlight their plight. More details to follow.
No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts.
Friday 8 April 2011
Monday 7 February 2011
Anti cuts demo and rally 5th Feb 2011, Liverpool
Despite heavy rain and high winds around 800 people marched through the streets of Liverpool on Saturday 5th February to oppose the governments proposed cuts. They marched to the Anglican Cathedral for a rally which attracted over 1500 people.
The rally was opened by The Socialist Singers with a mixture of traditional songs of resistance such as ‘Freedom’ and modern topical arrangements such as ‘Fat Cat’ (sung to the theme tune of TV show Top Cat).
The speakers included representatives from the trade union movement, an FE student and Tony Benn. All of them deplored the tactics and policies of the ConDem government and Gail Cartmel, Assistant General Secretary of Unite, described how Cameron was completing the unfinished business of the last Tory government, which is to shrink the state and public sector.
Chris Baugh, Assistant General Secretary of PCS, said that workers are not prepared to pay for the economic crisis which was caused by ‘high octane free market capitalism’ and described the cuts as the ‘biggest attack on the social gains fought for and won by the working class’. He received a standing ovation as he concluded that this is now an opportunity to talk about what kind of society we want to live in and that another world is possible.
Student Lizzie O’ Rourke asked if we live in a democracy or an elected dictatorship and declared that this government doesn’t want working class kids to have the same opportunities as their kids. She spoke of the fundamental human right to education and asked ‘how dare they take that away from us’. She concluded, to a standing ovation, that the government want the working class back in their place and believing as her grandparents’ generation did that ‘University is not for the likes of us.’
Tony Benn concluded with a rallying call that “All progress has been made throughout our history by people doing exactly what you’re doing today, demonstrating.” He also acknowledged the continuation of Liverpool ’s history of political and social activism following the council’s decision this week to withdraw from the government’s ‘Big Society’ scheme.
Tuesday 1 February 2011
Events in February
Its a busy few weeks ahead especially as local councils will be setting their budgets. For each event listed I have tried to include details of who is organising it and the role Merseyside Right to Work is taking.
Sat 5th Feb Rally and demo against cuts
Organised by the Public Sector Alliance and supported by RtW. Assemble at 11am behind Liverpool Town Hall, march to Anglican Cathedral for rally with several keynote speakers including Tony Benn
Weds 9th Feb Lobby Knowsley Council Meeting - Cancelled - council have reversed their decision to close the school - this is a real victory for people power and should be an inspiration to us all.
Knowsley Council are proposing to close Christ the King High School, just two years after it opened in a new Private Finance Initiative building scheme which will cost the council an estimated £157 million over the next 25 years. The council are debating the school's future at this meeting. Parents are opposed to the closure of the school and Right to Work can offer their support.
Assemble from 5pm to lobby councillors (Meeting starts at 6pm)
Thurs 10th Feb Open Meeting against the cuts
Organised by Liverpool Trades Council with several keynote speakers including Ricky Tomlinson, Ken Loach, trade unionist and a student.
7.30pm at the Green Room, Duke Street, Liverpool.
Sat 12th Feb People's convention
Organised by Right to Work and Labour Representation Group
Workshops include how councils can resist cuts, disabled people at the forefront of resistance, students at the forefront of struggle. This convention will be key in uniting anti cuts groups and providing a strategy for the coming months. Please try to attend.
Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ
Weds 2nd Mar Lobby Liverpool Council Budget Meeting
Liverpool Council is setting its budget at this meeting and has already announced that 1500 jobs will go. Lets make this the biggest lobby possible and make lots of noise so the councillors inside can hear us. Bring your whistles, horns and vuvuzelas!
Assemble from 4pm (Meeting starts at 5pm)
Liverpool Town Hall, Dale Street, Liverpool.
When they say cutback, we say fightback.
Thursday 27 January 2011
Liverpool TUC Open Meeting
Fight the Cuts Open Public Meeting
10th February 7.30 at The Green Room, Duke Street, Liverpool
The ConDem government plan to make ordinary workers pay for an economic crisis caused by the greed of Bankers, spivs and speculators. And while we suffer cuts in jobs and vital services, as well as attacks on our pay and pensions, we see company directors enjoying pay rises on average of 55%.
Multi millionaire government ministers tell us we’re all in this together but their rich friends cost this country over £100 billion in lost revenue as a result of tax avoidance, tax evasion and tax loopholes every year.
Come to our Public Meeting for a Discussion about the Alternatives to the Chaos of Capitalism
Speakers include:
RICKY TOMLINSON Jailed Shrewsbury Picket, Actor and Socialist
KEN LOACH Socialist Film Director
TONY MULHEARN Surcharged Socialist Councillor
LIZZIE O’ROURKE – College Student – Suffering from Government Cuts in Education Maintenance Allowance
EMILY KELLY Public & Commercial Services Union National Executive Committee (Invited)
UCU Hope University – Speaker on University Job cuts
MARK HOSKISSON – Secretary Liverpool Trades Union Council
Chair: Daren Ireland President Liverpool Trades Union Council
Come and listen to the speakers and join the debate. Ask your branch to affiliate to your local Trades Union Council and send a delegate. This is how we can coordinate the activities of all our trade unions and help build a mass movement which can fight for a better future for us all. All trade union representatives and activists are urged to attend.
Monday 24 January 2011
Job losses at Liverpool Hope University
Around 100 staff at Liverpool Hope University are to lose their jobs by September 2011.
The university announced that one in 10 staff would be made redundant as it attempts to slash annual costs by £6m in response to government funding cuts.
Redundancies will hit across the board, affecting the university’s 300 academic staff as well as administrative staff at its Childwall and Everton campuses.
A small number of courses will also be cut, while some departments will be merged.
The university announced that one in 10 staff would be made redundant as it attempts to slash annual costs by £6m in response to government funding cuts.
Redundancies will hit across the board, affecting the university’s 300 academic staff as well as administrative staff at its Childwall and Everton campuses.
A small number of courses will also be cut, while some departments will be merged.
Merseyside United Against The Cuts, March and Rally
Merseyside United and Fighting
1000s on the street is a mandate for change
MARCH & RALLY
SATURDAY 5th FEBRUARY
Assemble at
Exchange Flags (back Liverpool Town Hall
March through city centre to the
ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL FOR RALLY
Merseyside Public Sector Alliance have called a march and rally through Liverpool City Centre (details above), this will feature a number of speakers for the event:-
Chair Alec McFadden :President Merseyside TUC
Speakers
TONY BENN
GAIL CARTMEL Unite Assistant Gen Secretary
AVIS GILMORE Secretary NUT NW Region
ALAN MANNING Secretary NWTUC
JUSTIN WELBY Dean of Liverpool
CHRIS BAUGH Assistant General Sec PCS
DAVID PRENTIS General Sec Unison (tbc)
Fight the Job Cuts
If People Aren't Working They're Hurting
TUSC Meeting
TRADE UNIONIST & SOCIALIST COALITION Merseyside
Next meeting to take place THURSDAY 27TH JANUARY 7.00PM In the CASA (cellar bistro) Hope St L,pool 1
RtW AGM
Wed 26th Jan 2011: Merseyside Right to Work AGM
AGM : , upstairs in the Crown Pub, Lime Street , Liverpool L1 1JQ
The meeting will be mainly to ratify our constitution (to follow in later email) and to establish a steering committee. We need people to nominate themselves (or others if they agree) to sit on the steering committee and help with planning events, coordinating groups and generally helping out. The more people who are involved in the committee the less work there will be! There are also some named positions that need to be filled; treasurer, secretary, convenor, deputy convenor, publicity/media. If you would like to be involved in the steering committee in a general sense or as a specific position can you please email me by next Monday (11th January)? Also if you would like to put something on the agenda for the AGM let me know by Monday 11th Jan.
Keep Our NHS Public, Meeting
Subject: Keep Our NHS public meeting about the Royal
The meeting is at 7:30 pm on Thurs 3 Feb, in the Kensington Fields Community Centre. Map:
http://www.imerseyside.co.uk/profile/106728/Liverpool/Kensington-Fields-Community-Centre/#map
on Hall Lane , by the Royal.
Merseyside RtW AGM
The Merseyside Right to Work annual general meeting will take place on Wednesday 26th January, 7.30pm upstairs in the Crown Pub, Lime Street, Liverpool. I have attached the proposed constitution which is based on the national Right to Work constitution. Any proposed amendments should be submitted to me by Tuesday 25th January. Once the constitution is agreed we can set up a bank account. The bank account must have at least two signatories, so if you would like to be a signatory or would like to propose someone to be a signatory, again please let me know by Tuesday 25th Jan. Likewise, if you would like to be on the steering committee or would like to nominate someone to be on the steering committee, let me know by 25th Jan.
Agenda for the AGM
1) Constitution
2) Steering committee election
3) Bank account signatories
4) Report back form last 6 months
5) Future events
6) AOB
In solidarity,
Debs Gwynn
Convenor, Merseyside Right to Work
Merseyside UAF Newsletter
Merseyside Unite Against Fascism
liverpool@uaf.org.uk / 07908 202 006 / http://www.uaf.org.uk/
In this issue :
- Stop the Racist EDL in Luton : Saturday 5 February
- Kensington Remembers : Holocaust Memorial Day
- Love Music Hate Racism DJ night : Mello Mello Friday 21 January
- Merseyside Unite Against Fascism Steering Committee : Wednesday 26 January
- Calling all Tranmere Supporters
- Unite Against Fascism National Conference : Saturday 26 February
- Liverpool Anti Fascism Conference : 2 April
The EDL plan to march in Luton on Saturday 5th February.
Luton is the birthplace, about 18 months ago, of this anti-Muslim movement. They are asking their 'divisions' - local groups from across the country - to assemble in different parts of Luton. The EDL are openly refusing to cooperate with the police.
We cannot allow the EDL to rampage through our cities.
Unite Against Fascism is working to organise the biggest possible public protest against any such gatherings by the EDL. UAF is also organising an anti-racist rally in the town centre. Merseyside Unite Against Fascism is running a coach to Luton and urges all our supporters and friends to come and stand alongside us and Luton's community and say No to the EDL.
Coach Tickets are £20 waged / £10 unwaged and coach will be leaving at 8am. If you'd like to go then book at place by emailing liverpool@uaf.org.uk or phone 07908 202 006. Alternatively get a ticket from News from Nowhere Bookshop, 96 Bold Street.
The protest is now backed by the Southern & Eastern Region TUC.
2. Kensington Remembers
Kensigton Remembers is hosting a series of events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
On Sunday 24 January an afternoon of Jewish Klezmer Music and Film has been organised at the Academy of St. Francis of Assisi, Gardner's Drive, Liverpool L6 7UR.
Featuring the Klatsh Klezmer Band and showings of 'The Passenger' and 'Deane Road Jewish Cemetery'.
Entrance is by invitation only so people wishing to attend should contact laura.pover@liverpool.gov.uk or 0151 233 6136.
3. Love Music Hate Racism DJ nite @ Mello Mello, Slater St
Friday 21 January sees Mello Mello playing host to DJs the Coconut Twins, a mean mash up between Dr Vomit and Tohmmy Ohm and the the return of the big chill with the Sausage DJs. Masters of Ceremony for the night are the fine lads from Toxteth Rebel Alliance. Doors 7pm - entrance is free but a donation would be super!
4. Merseyside Unite Against Fascism Steering Committee Meeting Wednesday 26 January
Our next meeting is at 7pm on Wednesday 26 January at the new UNITE the Union building, Islington, Liverpool (just near the Empire Theatre). The meeting is open to all UAF members and supporters.
Meetings will be monthly from then on the last Wednesday of each month at the UNITE building.
Next meetings are
7pm 26 January
7pm 23 February
7pm 30 March
7pm 27 April
5. Calling All Tranmere Supporters!
Yeah we know some exist! Merseyside Unite Against Fascism will be joining forces with Tranmere Supporters Anti Fascist group to leaflet the home game against Rochdale on Tuesday 1 Feb. Come and lend a hand if you can - contact Alan 07908 202 006 for further info.
6. Unite Against Fascism National Conference : Saturday 26 February
Registration is now open for UAF’s 2011 annual conference, which takes place on Saturday 26 February in central London. It is organised jointly with our sister organisation, Love Music Hate Racism, which will host a special session.
It will bring together people from across the country, from all sections of the community and from trade union branches, student groups and community organisations to discuss how we can defeat the fascists of the British National Party and counter the growing threat of the English Defence League – racist thugs with fascists in their midst.
It will bring together people from across the country, from all sections of the community and from trade union branches, student groups and community organisations to discuss how we can defeat the fascists of the British National Party and counter the growing threat of the English Defence League – racist thugs with fascists in their midst.
Conference sessions and workshops
* strategies for stopping the BNP in the forthcoming elections* where next in the campaign against the EDL?
* resisting the rise of the far-right across Europe
* Islamophobia, immigration and racism
* tackling homophobia and fascism
* how to bring anti-fascism into the workplace and onto campus
Speakers
Speakers will include representatives from trade unions, the student movement, artists, politicians and the international antifascist movement.Special offer for students
The conference is open to delegations from trade union, student and community groups – and to individuals.Registration costs £10 per ticket. But we will issue free tickets to the first 100 students who call UAF on 020 7801 2782.
check : http://uaf.org.uk/2011/01/register-now-for-uaf-conference-saturday-26-february/ for up to date details and how to register.
7. Liverpool Anti Fascism Conference Saturday 2 April
Following on from last years highly successful conference we are pleased to announce that the conference this year will be held on Saturday 2 April in conjunction with UNITE the Union at its new building in Liverpool. The event is is being supported by the Anthony Walker Foundation.
Sessions will include amongst others:
- The Battle of Cable Street
- Islamophobia : The new face of racism
- Stopping the EDL
- Trade Unions in an era of cuts
- Rock Against Racism
More details will follow shortly but put the date in your diary now!
peace, love and unity
Alan
Merseyside Unite Against Fascism
liverpool@uaf.org.uk / 07908 202 006 / http://www.uaf.org.uk/
Friday 7 January 2011
Statement on Merseytravel Website
14 December 2010
Councillor Dowd said:”Never in our most pessimistic forecasts did we anticipate such a crippling and savage cut.
“Having already dealt with a 25% cut of our £17million allocation during this financial year, we had made realistic budget predictions of receiving just over £13million next year. We now know we are going to get only £5.74million and this is going to have a severe impact on our future plans.
“Currently we are reviewing all projects for next year, but my immediate reaction is that it will be difficult enough to maintain and operate what we have let alone think about improvements.
“During my 28 years as a councillor I have never experienced such a financial savagery, these cuts are vicious”.
Key Dates
Hi All
After a lull in activity over the festive period, there is plenty of campaigning, lobbying and demonstrating to be done in the first few weeks of 2011.
As mentioned in the previous bulletin it is important that as a group we are properly constituted and transparent which is why it is important that we have a constitution and bank account. The initial date for the Merseyside RtW AGM has had to change from 11th January to 26th January (details below in key dates). A proposed constitution will be sent out next week and any nomination received for positions on the steering committee.
Key dates for your diary
Councillor Fletcher (Labour) has tabled the following motion for discussion at the council meeting:
"This Council condemns the Coalition Government’s abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance provision without providing an adequate substitute and calls upon them urgently to provide a realistic alternative. The removal of this allowance will severely damage the education and employment prospects of many of the most disadvantaged young people in St Helens at a time when they are already facing many other challenges. Because of those challenges it is essential that young people be supported in improving their prospects for education and training."
I think it is vital that we get as many people there from RtW to show that we support him and that a fightback is possible. I have emailed Councillor Fletcher to give him our support and I will also be contacting union reps in high schools and colleges in St Helens to get them to join us and get students there too. Furthermore on the St Helens council website Deputy council leader Councillor Grunewald has launched an attack on the Tory government and the local government spending cuts calling them "shameful" and "devastating".
Action: Assemble at St Helen's Town Hall, Victoria Square , St Helens , WA10 1HP
Merseyside Right to Work will be leading this but I hope there will be other groups there to support us.
The meeting will be mainly to ratify our constitution (to follow in later email) and to establish a steering committee. We need people to nominate themselves (or others if they agree) to sit on the steering committee and help with planning events, coordinating groups and generally helping out. The more people who are involved in the committee the less work there will be! There are also some named positions that need to be filled; treasurer, secretary, convenor, deputy convenor, publicity/media. If you would like to be involved in the steering committee in a general sense or as a specific position can you please email me by next Monday (11th January)? Also if you would like to put something on the agenda for the AGM let me know by Monday 11th Jan.
Convention called by Right to Work nationally to discuss strategies for campaigning and alternatives to cuts. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to go so that we can organise a delegation from Merseyside. For more information see: http://righttowork.org.uk/2010/11/peoples-convention/
National demonstration against the government's cuts organised by the Trades Union Congress. If you are in a union your union should be organising transport - please let us know what your union is doing. Merseyside Right to Work will also be organising transport for those not able to take advantage of union organised transport. There is also the possibility of organising an event on the same day in Liverpool for those people who are unable to travel to London Liverpool based event.
When they say cutback, we say fightback
In solidarity,
Debs Gwynn
Convenor, Merseyside Right to Work
Thursday 16 December 2010
Right to Work is stepping up its campaigning activity against the ConDems’ cuts, job losses and austerity. The number of anti-cuts protests around the country is increasing all the time – and the recent student protests have hit a new level of militancy and shown the up the weakness of the ConDem government. That’s why we have launched a new website, which we hope will boost our campaigning work and help more people get involved. We are also upgrading our office IT systems and communications.
We also have a new email address - info@righttowork.org.uk - and an address where you can send us news for our website - reports@righttowork.org.uk
You can also find our latest campaigning materials listed under campaign kit and our pick of the web – a continually updated stream of the latest news for activists – as well as our Twitter feed.
You can also find out how to affiliate to Right to Work and read RTW national secretary Chris Bambery’s blog.
Thanks for your support.
We also have a new email address - info@righttowork.org.uk - and an address where you can send us news for our website - reports@righttowork.org.uk
New website features
We hope you like the new site. On the front page, you will find news about cuts protests around the country and regular updates about Right to Work activities. There is also an action diary listing upcoming events.You can also find our latest campaigning materials listed under campaign kit and our pick of the web – a continually updated stream of the latest news for activists – as well as our Twitter feed.
You can also find out how to affiliate to Right to Work and read RTW national secretary Chris Bambery’s blog.
What do you think?
Have a look round! Leave a comment below and tell us what you think, or get in touch through our contact page.Help us do more
Developing our website, office systems and communications – and all our other campaigning work – costs money. Please help our work by making a donation.Thanks for your support.
Merseyside Unite Against Fascism bulletin
Merseyside Unite Against Fascism
liverpool@uaf.org.uk / 07908 202 006
1. Mobilise for Luton : Stop the EDL Saturday 5 February 2011
2. EDL turns its fire on student anti-fees protesters
3. Merseyside Unite Against Fascism Meetings
4. Unite Against Fascism National Conference 26 February London
5. Future Events
1. Mobilise for Luton : Stop the EDL Saturday 5 February 2011
The English Defence League has backed down over its plans to invite Terry Jones – the anti-Muslim racist US pastor who sparked international outrage with calls to burn the Qur’an – to its demonstration in Luton on Saturday 5 February.
Jones is pastor of a church with just 50 members but his call to burn the Qur’an on the anniversary of 9/11 made him a key figure for anti-Muslim racists around the world.
The EDL, an organisation of racist thugs with links to the British National Party and other fascist groups, had boasted it was “proud to announce” that vicious racist and homophobic bigot Jones would speak at its demonstration in Luton on 5 February.
Backtrack
But the EDL has been forced to backtrack after its announcement sparked widespread revulsion among the public in Britain and abroad. The racist thugs did not have the confidence to carry through their invitation.
It has been reported that home secretary Teresa May was considering a ban on Jones. But that is not why the EDL backed off – home office bans on EDL marches in Bradford, Leicester and elsewhere have done nothing to stop the EDL from mobilising.
The EDL includes hardcore fascists who periodically try to “harden up” its racist support. From time to time, they test the water to see how far they can push their violent racism.
Mobilise
Where they have been pushed back this has been because the vast majority of ordinary people reject the EDL’s racism and violence and because antiracists and antifascists have been prepared to mobilise against them and demonstrate that opposition on the streets.
That is why it is essential that antiracists and antifascists turn out again to oppose the EDL in Luton on Saturday 5 February, when UAF is organising a major demonstration against them.
The EDL was formed after masked racist thugs went on the rampage through Luton last year, attacking Asian residents and spreading fear and intimidation.
That is the reason they are targeting Luton again – their own publicity is designed to remind its supporters of their hate-filled history.
Home-grown racists
The invite to US pastor Terry Jones was designed to whip up publicity for the EDL – but he is not the main event. The problem in this country is the home-grown racists of the EDL.
We need to build the widest possible opposition to the EDL and their anti-Muslim racism and violence.
The campaign to push back the EDL and marginalise their racist hatred must not be scaled back because Terry Jones will no longer be coming. Let’s show the EDL they are not wanted here either.
Merseyside Unite Against Fascism will be running coaches to this protest : Tickets will be on sale in News from Nowhere, Bold Street or email liverpool@uaf.org.uk / tel : 07908 202 006. We are urging all our supporters and friends, trade unionists to come with us. We cannot allow the EDL to rampage on the streets of Luton.
2. EDL turns its fire on student anti-fees protesters
The leader of the English Defence League has turned his fire on students protesting against fees and cuts.
The EDL is an organisation of racist thugs, with links to the British National Party and other fascist groups. It has so far mainly targeted Muslims with its vicious racism and violence.
But in a speech to EDL supporters in Peterborough on 11 December, EDL leader “Tommy Robinson” – a former BNP member whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon – issued a threat to student demonstrators.
Threatened
His speech alternated attempts to whip up anti-Muslim hatred with attacks on the thousands of school and college students who have protested against fees and education cuts over the past weeks. He threatened:
The next time the students want to protest in our capital, the English Defence League will be there.
In terms that will come as news to millions of working class school and university students, he claimed:
You had students living off their dads’ f***ing bank cards who have never lived a normal way in their life. They do not understand what it is to be a working class member of this community.
And in a single scattergun blast, he lashed out at students, Unite Against Fascism and “communist scum”. His speech followed streams of hate directed at students on the EDL’s forums.
The speech signalled that the EDL is moving to broaden its targets. The racist thugs have largely attempted to build by attacking Muslims – and other black and Asian people.
In towns including Dudley and Stoke, EDL supporters have run rampage, attacking people, homes and shops. They have also attacked Mosques and a Hindu temple.
Hardening
Fascists within the EDL have been trying to “harden up” the organisation’s supporters and push them towards other traditional targets of fascism, including trade unionists and socialists as well as ethnic minorities.
There have been a series of attempts to disrupt antiracist and left-wing meetings, an attack on Swansea Trades Union Council’s annual May Day march and verbal abuse of the BA strikers. Now they are turning on students.
UAF national officer Martin Smith said:
Some people in the antifascist movement have argued that if the EDL comes to your town, you should stay at home, ignore them and hope they’ll go away. We think that’s wrong. There are fascist elements with a growing influence in the EDL – and if you give an inch to a fascist, they’ll come back for more.
First they come for the Muslims, then it is trade unions and the socialists, now it is students. We need to unite and stand together – and oppose the EDL. When they attack one community, it’s an attack on all of us. And we should remember that if we all come together and stand united, there are many, many more of us than them.
3. Merseyside Unite Against Fascism Meetings
Our next meeting is 7pm Wednesday 26 January at the Unite Offices, Islington (just along Lime Street past the Empire Theatre).
Given the recent BNP stall in Liverpool city centre and other areas will need to strengthen our networks over the coming months. The meetings are open to everyone who wants to get involved.
Meetings after this will take place the last Wednesday in every month at 7pm in the Unite Offices. A big thank you to UNITE the Union for allowing us to use their premises!
4. Unite Against Fascism National Conference 26 February London
The Unite Against Fascism annual conference takes place on Saturday 26 February in London. More details will follow as soon as we get them. Check on the UAF website www.uaf.org.uk for up to date details.
5. Future Events
Merseyside Love Music Hate Racism are just putting the finishing touches to plans for a major anti-racist festival to be held with the Anthony Walker Foundation on Saturday 9 July 2011 at Liverpool University.
It will be an all day event encompassing sports, culture and music with a large Love Music Hate Racism gig in the evening. We will be inviting community groups, trade unions and campaign organisations to get involved and have stalls at the event. We would like to run projects in schools, colleges and youth centres in the run up to the festival so if you have ideas then drop us a line at merseyside@lovemusichateracism.com.
We'll post more details in the New Year!
peace, love and unity
Alan
Merseyside Unite Against Fascism
liverpool@uaf.org.uk / 07908 202 006
Tuesday 14 December 2010
Bulletin 5
Thank you to everyone who braved the cold to attend the demonstration and rally last Saturday in Liverpool. It was a good turnout and kept alive the spirit of fightback which has been so visible through the recent student protests.
The cuts are starting to take effect on our local services and will continue to do so in the coming months. According to today's Liverpool Echo, the local government cuts will mean that:
Monday 13 December 2010
Save the Education Maintenance Allowance
Can everyone please click on the link below and sign the petition to save EMA. This is a vitally important campaign, from all of the devastating educational cuts this is one of the most severe, and an open attack on the poorest families in our society.
SAVE THE EDUCATIONAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE
SAVE THE EDUCATIONAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE
Saturday 11 December 2010
Sefton Anti-Cuts Protest
There is a protest planned against Sefton Council cuts and the closure of St Wilfrids School at the next full council meeting, Thursday 16th December at Bootle Town Hall (opposite Bootle OP railway station). The council meeting takes place at 6.30pm, so the protest will start shortly before that. When I hear of more details I will update the blog.
Danny Foy
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Thursdays Day of Action
Add your name to the statement by emailing sean.vernell@yahoo.co.uk…spread this out widely
Our students are fighting to defend education for all- join them.
The student movement has inspired all those who wish to defend education for all. If the Coalition government get away with raising tuition fees and cutting EMA it will deny access to Further and Higher Education making it the preserve of the very wealthy.
By taking to the streets in their tens of thousands, students have broken the idea that cuts are inevitable. They have exposed the government as weak and demonstrated that they can be stopped from wrecking people lives.
As student placards have stated: “We did not cause this crisis - why should we pay for it?”
We are calling upon the trades union movement and community organisations across
Please email sean.vernell@yahoo.co.uk to add your name
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