Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1094/31047
From The Socialist newspaper, 8 July 2020
Black Lives Matter - the fight is not over
(Click to enlarge)
London
Hundreds gathered for a Black Lives Matter protest on 5 July. Given it was the anniversary of the opening of the NHS, the protest started with a round of applause for the NHS, and all the healthcare workers on the front line of Covid.
Speeches focused on the need to have a decent healthcare system, the high number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people who work on poverty pay in healthcare, and the disproportionately high mortality rates of black women, particularly maternity deaths.
Another speaker urged people to join a trade union to fight racism in the workplace. Socialist Party members discussed with people about the need to build a mass united movement against racism, oppression and capitalism.
Helen Pattison
Bradford
The upsurge in coronavirus in Bradford meant the protest on 4 July in Centenary Square was smaller compared to those that came before.
The protest was still home to a diverse impassioned crowd, showing the fight is far from over - a movement not a moment.
Almost all of those attending got a copy of our leaflet, and many took the Socialist Party's popular Malcolm X placards to hold.
Tom Gibson
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 8 July 2020:
Workplace news
Fantastic virtual NSSN conference: "Fight for our lives and livelihoods''
Homerton hospital workers deserve equal pay and conditions
Jobcentre reopening: only union struggle will put safety first
Southampton UCU: election victory for combative rank and file
Tower Hamlets council workers strike against wholesale attack on terms and conditions
Nottingham unions fight council job cuts
News
Fight for every job, fight for socialism
Young people have no choice but to fight the system
Leicester: End the scandal of sweatshop labour
Covid pandemic and Northern Ireland - workers must resist the bosses' offensive
£1,600 less benefits if your job goes - while super-rich splash cash
Testing: Tories' £5bn gift to private sector
Johnson blames care workers for deaths
£3bn green pledge: not enough for climate or jobs
Poverty rises again - especially for BAME workers
No going back
No going back: Nationalise social care!
Campaigns
The best place to start - join the Socialist Party
Trans rights protests oppose Tory backsliding
Black Lives Matter - the fight is not over
International news
Hong Kong: The fight for democratic rights
Bangladesh: Stop closure and privatisation of Jute Mills
Readers' opinion
TV: The school that tried to end racism
Books that inspired me: The Fire Next Time
Home | The Socialist 8 July 2020 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020