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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 June 2019
D-Day for fighting Trump attack on NHS
Protesting against Donald Trump's D-Day visit to Portsmouth 5 June 2019, photo Nick Chaffey (Click to enlarge)
Portsmouth Socialist Party
There was anger amongst trade unionists and young people to Trump's hypocritical visit to take part in D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth on Wednesday, with over 300 turning out to a lunchtime rally in the Guildhall Square. They were joined by a number of people who had come to attend the D-Day event but wanted to join the anti-Trump protest as well.
Trump, like Theresa May, represents the billionaires who have pursued austerity policies that have attacked the lives of D-Day veterans by cutting pensions, benefits and the National Health Service.
Arguments against our protest for 'politicising' D-Day were compromised by Trump's call to open up the NHS to US corporate privateers. A letter signed by leading local trade unionists in PCS, RMT and Unison was published by the Portsmouth News and over 100 protesters signed our letter, many buying copies of the Socialist and some filling in join cards.
Socialist Party regional secretary, Nick Chaffey, spoke at the rally giving solidarity to all those who had joined the protest to oppose Trump's racism, homophobia and sexism. He appealed to everyone to build a mass campaign calling for an immediate general election, to end austerity and fight for a Corbyn-led Labour government implementing socialist policies to meet the needs of all.
A successful follow-up Socialist Students meeting discussed these questions, with plans being made to step up our fight to kick out the Tories.
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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.
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We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 12 June 2019:
Safe homes for all
Fire tears through Barking flats - cladding off now!
Grenfell two years on - Still fighting for safety and justice
Nationalise to stop closures
Ford closure announcement must be met with united response of defiance
Nationalise Ford to prevent closure
Fight the closures save every job!
News
Widespread condemnation of horrifying, violent, homophobic assaults
Terrible child murders linked to cuts
Workplace news
Scottish airport strikes - fight for better pay and pensions
Stagecoach strike - bus workers show how it's done
Socialists in Unison hold positions in elections
South Western Railway guards to strike again
Socialist Party members make big impact at trades council conference
Southampton hospital workers win
Sellafield nuclear workers' strike
International socialist news and analysis
Sudan: Military crackdown to break revolution
Nigeria: Stop police harassment of Abbey and Azeez!
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
D-Day for fighting Trump attack on NHS
Edmonton joins Enfield North Labour in supporting 'no cuts' fightback strategy
Opinion
TV Review: Chernobyl - Workers' heroism vs sclerotic Stalinism
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