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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 June 2019
Save Essex libraries protest
Essex protest against library closures June 2019, photo Dave Murray (Click to enlarge)
Dave Murray, Basildon Socialist Party
Over 600 people marched through Chelmsford on 8 June in protest at Tory-run Essex County Council's plan to shut 25 out of its 74 libraries.
The measure has sparked a wave of anger across the county which has seen protests of hundreds in some of Essex's small towns and villages - many of which have not seen mass protests since the peasants' revolt!
When the people of Galleywood or Manningtree take to the streets in their hundreds, it's a sign that austerity is alienating people even in what were once considered to be Tory heartlands.
Police attempts to restrict local demonstrations - by forcing large crowds to demonstrate on the pavement rather than in the road - have not gone unnoticed by participants.
Demo organiser Andy Abbott (Save our Libraries Essex - SOLE), speaking from the steps of the county library, said that while the campaign was not party political it was anti-austerity. This reflects the fact that people are aware that elsewhere Labour councils have also made cuts.
The demo brought together library users as well as trade unionists from the NEU, Unite, Unison and other unions, as well as many Labour Party members.
Essex County Council's cabinet meets on 23 July to decide the matter. Protesters will gather outside County Hall in Chelmsford from 9am.
- You can join the campaign to oppose these closures here: https://www.facebook.com/Chelmsford-SOLE-Save-Our-Libraries-Essex-191027638500353/
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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.
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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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