Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/959/26017
From The Socialist newspaper, 23 August 2017
Hull youth festival builds trade union movement and internationalism
Laura Garcia, photo Tanis Belsham-Wray (Click to enlarge)
Matt Whale, Hull Socialist Party
An event aimed at challenging oppression through collective action was held on 19 August. Organised by Hull and District trade union council, the first 'collective youth festival' was primarily aimed at developing the next generation of trade unionists to continue the fight against the bosses. It attracted between 1,500 and 2,000 people.
The event was sponsored by individual trade union branches in Hull. Local bands and artists played the event for free, giving up their time and equipment.
Speakers from numerous unions detailed the importance of unions and of young people taking up the mantle to protect our public services and fight for a better future. Newly elected Labour MP Emma Hardy read out a message of solidarity from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to the festival.
One of the key themes running throughout was that of internationalism. The festival was also privileged to have two international speakers.
Laura Garcia, a member of the Spanish students' union, detailed its role in fighting back against the Spanish government's plan to attack education and young people in Spain. To huge support from the crowds, Laura finished her barnstorming speech calling for youth to organise against this dreadful system.
Danny Byrne spoke about the attacks on democratic rights in Ireland and the importance of international support for the Jobstown Not Guilty campaign to defend the right to protest. Special thanks were given to Hull trade union council and Hull Unite for their donations to the solidarity campaign.
Socialist Party members played a key role in the organisation of the festival, with members from Sheffield and Leeds coming along to help out. Our material was well received, with interest in the newly set up Hull Young Socialists.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
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 23 August 2017:
What we think
Coordinate the strikes to defeat the Tories
Socialist Party news and analysis
Glasgow jannies win famous victory against council cutters
Bin workers - fighting back wins!
Hundreds evacuated after Labour council dismisses cracks in tower blocks
Amazon tax halves as revenues soar - nationalise now!
Workplace news and analysis
RMT and the Labour Party affiliation debate
Defiant Barts NHS workers fight to stop Serco sabotage
Three-week Argos distribution strike
BA poverty pay dispute enters new phase of action
McDonald's workers vote to walk out in historic strike
Bin workers say: Sack Suez, stop rubbish cuts!
PCS: strikes to defend jobcentres
Fighting the far right
US: neo-Nazi violence reawakens resistance
Lewisham 1977: When socialists and workers defeated the far-right National Front
Opposing the National Front in Grantham
Socialist Party feature
The Single Market: a neoliberal tool of the bosses
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Chatsworth ward campaigners demand answers
Vital women's services under threat
West Midlands Young Socialists fight for free education on results day
NHS campaign receives Labour Party backing
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Mutinies and strikes: when Bolshevism threatened British bosses
Home | The Socialist 23 August 2017 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020