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From The Socialist newspaper, 5 August 2020
North London: Socialist Party speaks at Black Lives Matter protest
Mira speaking at the protest, photo North London SP (Click to enlarge)
Mira Glavardanov, North London Socialist Party
A lively Black Lives Matter protest in Edmonton, north London, on 25 July didn't shy away from politics. The event organiser said the whole lives of black people have been political for centuries.
Local examples of police brutality were raised, including the rise in stop and search. A man was tasered in his own home by police in Tottenham.
Speakers pointed to the complicity of London mayor Sadiq Kahn, who has responsibility for the police. They put out a warning - black people, mostly Labour voters in London, might not support Khan in the next mayoral elections if he continues to turn a blind eye to the despicable treatment black people receive from the London police.
Edmonton has never had an Afro-Caribbean community centre and a petition went round to demand that Enfield Council provides one. The campaign warned local businesses that they could face boycotts, following the refusal of some local shops to display Black Lives Matter leaflets.
North London Socialist Party attended the protest and we were invited to speak. We pointed out that working-class people have to rely on our own strength.
We pledged our solidarity, saying that capitalism benefits by dividing the working class on race. Only if we come together can we fight capitalism and inequality.
We still live in the same capitalist system responsible for slavery, and the ruling class that got rich from it continues to keep black people oppressed, while stirring up racism. Socialist Party members said that the Black Lives Matter movement has frightened the ruling class - and they need to be frightened.
The organiser finished by saying black people couldn't do this on their own, and called for more solidarity in the future.
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In The Socialist 5 August 2020:
News
From first wave to second? Capitalism's Covid failures
Capitalism's 'vaccine war' shows need for socialist cooperation
Tories' obesity plans - blaming individuals not the profit system
What we think
Labour payouts: unions must discuss political representation
Workplace news
Wales: GE Aviation workers march to save jobs
PCS union: Reject longer DWP opening hours
'First you clap us then you slap us': hundreds march for NHS pay rise
Sick pay victory at Homerton hospital!
Unite union branch pledges to support socialist candidates who oppose cuts
Oppose BT site closures - national strike ballot needed
No going back
What would socialist universities look like?
International
Cuba: Covid-19 and the 60-year-old embargo
Anniversary of nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
80 years since the murder of Leon Trotsky rally
Campaigns
A-level results day 2020: Fight for our future!
Fighting to end racism and capitalism
North London: Socialist Party speaks at BLM protest
Doncaster: Vigil for murdered women
Engage for Change Hull - trade union youth festival goes online
Campaign stalls on jobs, pay, NHS and racism
Why I joined - Covid changed my outlook
Socialist Party meetings: Online and in-person
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