Black Lives Matter protests - another injustice exposed

Wolverhampton Black Lives Matter protest June 2020 (Click to enlarge)

Bristol

1,000 people turned out for Bristol's latest Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest on 12 July. With protesters socially distanced and sat on the grass, there wasn't the same energy as the first BLM demonstration in the city, which saw the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston.

Those attending were no less determined in their desire to fight for change though. Every mention of the statue coming down elicited cheers from the crowd.

But the organisers were clear, change has to go wider than removing the name Colston from the city's buildings, and must include ensuring that the real history of Bristol and the slave trade is taught in schools.

The large panel of speakers put forward a range of different ways for fighting racism. These included advocating for more black-owned businesses.

Socialist Party members handed out leaflets which quoted from Malcolm X saying "you can't have capitalism without racism".

We put forward a socialist alternative to this racist capitalist system, where the economy would be neither white-owned nor black-owned, but collectively owned and run by the working class.

Tom Baldwin

Brighton

Another large demonstration in Brighton on 11 July, 5,000 marching, came days after the arrest of a young black man by Sussex Police was captured on video.

He was restrained on the ground by three officers, and can be heard complaining that he can't breathe.

The real anger stirred up by the incident was reflected on the march by the overwhelmingly young crowd.

As with previous Black Lives Matter protests, the Socialist Party received an enthusiastic response, with real hunger for our ideas.

Over the last two demonstrations we have met dozens of people interested in receiving more details about the Socialist Party.

David Richards

Stevenage

A lively and enthusiastic BLM protest, overwhelmingly young, marched from Fairlands Park to Stevenage town centre, where an impromptu rally was held.

Speakers highlighted the many examples of police racism both here and in the USA. Everyone then took the knee.

We carried Socialist Party banners on the march and almost everyone accepted our leaflet that we handed out.

Mark Pickersgill

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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.