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Solidarity

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From: The Socialist issue 615, 10 March 2010: Fight the cuts, not union members

Search site for keywords: Solidarity - Women - Protest - Prison

Solidarity with Yarl's Wood hunger strikers

A show of solidarity took place outside Holloway Prison in protest at five hunger striking asylum seekers being moved there from Yarl's Wood immigration centre. Up to 30 women began their hunger strikes in February to oppose their detention. The hunger strikes are also a protest against the humiliation and racism that the women were enduring at Yarl's Wood, and the lack of sufficient legal representation.

The demonstration on Wednesday 1 March involved various organisations and individuals who are disgusted by the discrimination, isolation, alienation and maltreatment that these women have undergone.

During the protest a Serco van drove towards the prison, but had to drive away. Serco is one of the privateering contractors that the prison service employs. Last month the company reported an annual 34% increase in pre-tax profits to £194.7 million.

Solidarity

There have also been solidarity protests in Newcastle, during which a huge banner was dropped at a shopping centre. Other similar protests have taken place around Britain since the start of the women's hunger strike.

For socialists it is important that the rights of asylum seekers are defended when they are constantly vilified by the corporate-owned media. In reality these women, who have now been branded prisoners, are trying to escape torture and rape.

Alex Davis, Hackney Socialist Party

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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.