Black Lives Matter: Socialist alternative to racist capitalism

Newport

Newport, photo Rhys Davies (Click to enlarge)

Black Lives Matter (BLM) held a demo in Newport calling for justice for Jacob Blake, shot seven times in the back by police in Wisconsin, and Mercy Baguma, a Ugandan asylum seeker who was found dead in her Glasgow flat alongside her one-year-old malnourished son.

The first speaker was Socialist Party member Mariam Kamish. Andrew, one of the local BLM organisers, approached her and said: "I've seen you speak at all the demos. Would you like to speak today?" and he namechecked the Socialist Party during his speeches.

Cammilla Mngaza - mother of Syianda Mngaza, serving a four-year jail sentence for defending herself from a racist attack by five people - detailed an account of the attack and their horrific ordeal since Syianda's imprisonment. Cammilla's passion and determination were inspirational and infectious.

Several other young speakers all identified the capitalist system as the root cause of the institutional racism and systemic injustice they are protesting against. Many of the BLM organisers called for working-class unity.

The turnout was relatively small, 80 at the high point, but this had no negative effect on the mood, anger, and optimism. We ensured our Socialist Party placards were well distributed and prominent in the crowd, which was predominantly working-class black, white and Asian youth.

We stayed behind after the speeches to talk to attendees that wanted to know more about the Socialist Party and socialism.

Rhys Davies

Newcastle

There was another Black Lives Matter protest in Newcastle at Grey's Monument on 5 September. At least 100 people wanted to fight back against systemic racism.

We heard from many prominent anti-racist campaigners, and our own Socialist Party members got up to speak and advocate a socialist solution to the racist capitalist society.

Many of the attendees were young and looking for answers to a seemingly insurmountable problem. But our ideas are cutting through.

Many protesters are interested in socialism and demands that provide hope for the whole working class and the next generation.

Daniel Gilmore

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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.