Black Lives Matter: Fighting injustice, fighting for our rights

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Cardiff: Racist system exposed

Protesters marched in Cardiff on 30 August, part of the wave of international solidarity for Jacob Blake after he was shot in the back by police in Wisconsin.

The protest also highlighted the case of Mercy Baguma, a Ugandan asylum seeker who was found dead in Glasgow next to her baby.

As demonstrators gathered, Socialist Party members started a street meeting to discuss how racism is used under capitalism to divide the working class and weaken its opposition to exploitation.

Campaigners for the family of Christopher Kapessa joined the march. Christopher tragically drowned in the Cynon Valley last year, but his death prompted no adequate investigation by the police.

Camilla Mngaza spoke powerfully about the treatment of her daughter Siyanda. She was jailed for four years for Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) after she defended herself in a racist physical attack.

The Socialist Party call for democratic control of the police by workers' organisations was very well received. Campaigners know that they must harness the anger of the movement to radically change the way society is run, or racist police violence will continue.

Ross Saunders

Wokingham: This is political

This was the first Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest organised in Wokingham. Speakers gave many personal accounts about the effects of racism. 200 people attended, including a significant number of black youth.

The Socialist Party was the only organisation to produce material. And we had an excellent response - lots of people wanted to know more and what needs to be done to build an effective campaign to smash racism.

But we were disappointed that two of our black members taking part were not allowed to speak because they were "too political" in the opinion of the organisers. This fight has to be political - to take on the system that leaves black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) workers four times more likely to die from Covid, and hit hard by austerity and the housing crisis.

For the BLM movement to develop, we need a democratic and inclusive debate about what we are fighting for and how we are going to achieve it. A united working-class movement involving the trade unions, fighting for socialist policies of jobs and homes not racism, has the potential to do this.

Nick Chaffey

Liverpool: Fighting for BAME workers, fighting for everyone

On the Black Lives Matter protest on 22 August, even 13 and 14-year-olds were picking up our placards and signing up to come to our youth meeting. To win the demands of the movement, we need to be organised around a programme to tackle racism.

The unions must fight for the whole workforce, including BAME workers - for better pay, terms and conditions and against racism. The struggle for decent living conditions - jobs, homes, youth centres, libraries and a public NHS, need to be taken up by the unions.

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Coronavirus crisis - 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.
Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
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.