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From The Socialist newspaper, 31 August 2016
Ken Loach and a Socialist seller join Sisters Uncut protest
The Spirit of '45, directed by Ken Loach, photo Ken Loach (Click to enlarge)
Nick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
The Spirit of '45, a film by renowned filmmaker Ken Loach was shown recently at a small local theatre in North Newcastle-upon-tyne.
I decided to sell copies of the Socialist outside but after ten minutes when I was told I was unwelcome and had to stand well-away. He seemingly didn't recognise any irony and could have passed as a security guard in Ken's latest film 'I Daniel Blake'.
I continued selling the paper and was joined by over 20 women from an organisation called Sisters Uncut. They too were told to "shift themselves".
They were protesting about the potential closure of the local Women's Aid service, a charity which has done vital work for over 40 years, and saved countless lives.
This was their first organised protest in the area, some of the women carried flowers, others placards or banners, and they gave a sombre roll-call of 81 victims of domestic homicide in the UK in the past year, clearly showing the needs of the refuge are undiminished.
There was also plenty of chanting: "Where's the spirit of '45?" and "What if Cathy can't go home?"
Sometime later, Ken Loach himself, who had been doing a question and answer session in the venue, came out to greet us and joked he'd thought he was being picketed! He inquired about Sisters Uncut, wished us well and bought a copy of the Socialist.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 31 August 2016:
#KeepCorbyn
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Packed meeting discusses Trotskyism, Corbyn and socialist change
Trade unionists for Corbyn rally in Cardiff
Education fightback
Pressure, lies and head games: being a school student in Tory Britain
Join the student fightback to end education cuts and austerity
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Grantham protest against night-time closure of A&E
Socialist Party news and analysis
Invest in grassroots sports needs
Women still take home 36% less than men
Over a million families in 'extreme problem debt'
International socialist news and analysis
France: Burkini ban fuels division
Chile: general strike threat as pensions protests grow
Socialist Party workplace news
UberEats: Angry delivery drivers protest over pay
Solid bus strike for better terms and pay
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Why you should join the Socialist Party today
Socialist Party 'collectathon' to raise crucial cash
Ken Loach and a Socialist seller join Sisters Uncut protest
Socialist Party Summer Camp
Sunshine and socialism at Socialist Party summer camp
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