Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/984/26964
From The Socialist newspaper, 28 February 2018
Mary Jackson: funeral and memorial meeting say goodbye to working class fighter
Mary Jackson memorial meeting 21 February 2018, photo Alistair Tice (Click to enlarge)
Alistair Tice, Yorkshire Socialist Party
Long-standing Doncaster Militant then Socialist Party member Mary Jackson sadly died on 17 January (see the Socialist's obituary: Red Mary - a force of nature). Around 150 people attended her funeral on 14 February reflecting the enormous love and respect she was held in by family, friends and comrades, as did the £405 donated the Socialist Party's fighting fund at the end of the service.
I was asked by Mary's husband John to pay tribute to her on behalf of the Socialist Party. I recounted that it was during her 2013 'Mary for Mayor' campaign that Margaret Thatcher died. I will always remember being at Mary's having a cuppa after a campaign stall when we heard the news.
But it was never personal with Mary, it was about the exploitation of the capitalist system that causes so much unnecessary misery and suffering for so many people.
At a memorial meeting on 21 February, Joyce Sheppard, long-time friend and comrade from Women Against Pit Closures, Steve Williams, Doncaster Socialist Party branch secretary, and Dave Nellist, former Militant-supporting Labour MP and now national chair of Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), all spoke recounting personal and political memories of Mary.
Dave highlighted the pivotal role Mary had played in cementing the close relationship between Socialist Party and the RMT transport union - who also sent a delegation to Mary's funeral.
Mary Jackson was such a strong woman, a working class fighter and an eternal optimist in a socialist future, an inspiration to all who had the privilege to struggle alongside her for a better society.
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 28 February 2018:
What we think
Corbyn's customs union dividing line: now stand firm for pro-worker Brexit
Socialist Party news and analysis
Save Our Square occupation: "This land is our land!"
Three major West Wales hospitals could close
Corbyn didn't collaborate with Stalinism - but with Trotskyists against it
Stormzy is right to slam Tories for Grenfell
KFC delivery crisis: make the bosses pay, not the workers!
International Women's Day
Workplace news and analysis
Lecturers strike around country in defence of pensions
University bosses rocked - strikes can save staff pensions!
Unite victory in EDF meter workers' union recognition fight
Labour
Corbynism shows 'Clause IV' still relevant a hundred years on
Socialist Students
Socialist Students conference highlights successful work
International socialist news and analysis
United States: young people demand change after latest mass shooting
Socialist Party campaigns
'Anti-austerity' Bristol Labour passes £34 million cuts budget
Newham: teaching workers and parents determined to halt academies
Building fund appeal: Behind the scenes at the Socialist Party office
Mary Jackson: funeral and memorial meeting
Union-led campaign beats Blairite attacks on homeless
Selling the Socialist in Stoke
Opinion
What's behind the surge in eating disorders?
Socialist anti-war exhibition opens in Kingston
Home | The Socialist 28 February 2018 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020