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From The Socialist newspaper, 27 November 2019
Brighton anti-academy campaign steps up
(Click to enlarge)
Bill North, Brighton Socialist Party
Over 100 parents, children, trade unionists and other supporters from the local community were on the picket line outside Moulsecoomb Primary School, Brighton on 21 November.
Members of the NEU and GMB unions had voted to take strike action as part of the campaign against plans to force the school to become an academy. The entire staff, governors, local residents and Brighton and Hove Council are also opposed to this 'forced academisation'.
At the end of the picket, and with the school securely closed for the day, protesters marched to a local hall for a 'family fun day' organised by parents. It was also an opportunity for the 'fun' of planning the next stage of the campaign!
Faced with this level of opposition, two academy trusts have already given up attempting to take over the school. A third, the New Horizons Academy Trust, seem to think that if they wait long enough the campaign will run out of steam. If that's what they believe then they are in for a rude awakening!
The strike follows directly on from two days of lively school gate demonstrations by parents protesting visits by the academy trust - but the campaign is not limited to the school grounds.
Recently, campaigners waved banners and gave out leaflets outside a car-parts depot where a New Horizons trustee works as sales director. One of the placards read: "Kids are not car parts! We won't let a car salesman run our school!"
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In The Socialist 27 November 2019:
What we think
Labour's manifesto: fight to transform hope into a socialist society
International socialist news and analysis
Regime's fuel price rise sparks massive protests across Iran
Sri Lanka: Presidential election sees return of dictatorial Rajapaksa clan
News
Tory election campaign's dirty tricks and lies
Resist attacks against free speech on campus
Northern Ireland: strike action by NHS workers
Prince Andrew outrage exposes establishment
Council cuts
End council cuts now, to end Tory austerity!
Workplace news
Uni strike takes fight to bosses
CWU's right to defend members is on the line
South Western Railway strike: "We're up for the fight"
PCS union ballot closes 12 December: Marion Lloyd for general secretary
Sixth-form college strikes: 'Sticking two fingers up at the Tories'
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Trump and Tories are a threat to environment
Brighton anti-academy campaign steps up
Posties withdraw goodwill from cruel bosses
Help fund the fightback: sponsor my marathon
Buy a historical biography for Christmas
Readers' opinion
The private sector will never provide broadband to every home, nationalisation will
Plymouth Blairites side with anti-tenant landlords
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