Migration in the age of Imperialism’s four horsemen: part 2
The intensification of capitalist competition has created global markets and in the process has led to an imperialist period of capitalist development that has seen war, the uprooting of whole populations and environmental degradation push the fabric of societies and our planets intricate network of ecosystems to the point of crisis. This is the second […]
Ankara bombing: thousands protest for justice and peace, HDP condemns Turkish government
Thousands of people joined a demonstration in London on Sunday afternoon in protest at Saturday’s bombing in Ankara, the Turkish capital. Over 4,000 people gathered at Downing Street before marching up Whitehall and on to Piccadilly Circus, where they took part in a short sit-down protest. Thousands have joined a protest in Paris, and marches have also taken […]
Migration in the age of Imperialism’s four horsemen: Part 1
For the past year a growing refugee crisis on Europe’s borders has allowed the political right to capitalise on xenophobic and paranoid fears spread by racist politicians and media. Even those who have rejected the more outrageous expressions have often accepted the classification of those seeking resettlement along the lines of the ‘deserving’ refugees and […]
Ten radical poems for National Poetry Day
Like the song says, socialism is about bread, but also roses. With the help of rs21 members we’ve gathered ten poems about the fight against capitalism, racism and women’s oppression, and our dreams for a better world. We’ve put them together with images into a short publication. With writers from William Blake to Maya Angelou, we hope […]
“Disruptive technologies”: lessons from Wapping
The idea that new technologies will replace the need for human labour is not a new one. However, it is currently receiving a lot of attention, following a recent Panorama documentary, and arguments made by figures on the left such as Paul Mason and Yanis Varoufakis. Sherrl Yanowitz remembers when Rupert Murdoch began his campaign to […]
Report from Jerusalem: “Israeli mobs are attacking Palestinians in the streets”
Writing from Jerusalem, Sai Englert describes the situation there and calls for protests and increased BDS campaigns in solidarity with Palestine.
Rolling coverage from Manchester anti-austerity demo
At least 85,000 people took part in today’s anti-austerity protest at Tory Conference in Manchester, called by the People’s Assembly and the TUC.
Denis Healey: the Labour chancellor who opened the door to neoliberalism
Both Labour and Tory leaders have praised Healey, who died yesterday. Brian Parkin remembers instead Healey’s role in the 1970s Labour government, which began with miners kicking out the Tories, but ended with the election of Thatcher. The February 1974 general election which made Healey Chancellor took place in what now seems like another […]
PREVENT: protecting the vulnerable?
Emily Cousens looks at what’s behind the language of ‘vulnerability’ in the government’s PREVENT strategy. Spying and suspicion are now legally required as public sector workers are being trained to look for signs of vulnerability to radicalisation (such as a desire for adventure or political change) in those they work with. More and more of […]
Corbyn: What Next? Issue 5 of rs21 magazine
Rob Owen writes on the political context around the launch of our new magazine. Issue 5 will be available on the demonstration outside the Tory party conference in Manchester this Sunday. The world around us has changed. When our last issue went to press the English (and Welsh) radical left was still bruised from the […]
#NotFairNotSafe: Doctors and medical students take to the streets
Medical student Ellie R reports on Monday’s demo to protest against proposed junior doctors’ contracts that put patients’ lives at risk. Photos by Steve Eason. If one were to rank professions in order of likelihood of taking to the streets demanding more power for their unions, doctors probably wouldn’t come terribly far up the list. There […]
We can defend jobs without supporting nuclear weapons
We reprint this article from last September in solidarity with everyone marching today for a missile free future In the wake of recent statements by Len McCluskey, a Unite rep, argues that unions should support those arguing for a future beyond nuclear weapons. The destruction of the world is not a job creation scheme Len McCluskey’s […]
Police intimidate, harass and attack refugees with rubber bullets at Calais camp
Mitch Mitchell was an eyewitness to police intimidation at ‘The Jungle’ in Calais last week where rubber bullets were used to attack refugees.
Greek elections are no victory for the left, as Tsipras opens the door to austerity
Should we be cheering Syriza’s recent electoral success? Leandros Fischer responds to six key questions about the election, arguing that Syriza has promised things it can’t deliver – demoralising many of its supporters while the Nazis continue to grow. 1. Why did Syriza get 35 percent of the votes, despite the fact that Alexis Tsipras has agreed […]
Junior doctors’ contracts: not fair, not safe
Patient safety will be jeopardised by new contracts for junior doctors, argues Sophie W, a medical student, London. That’s why she will be demonstrating tomorrow (28 September) outside Methodist Central Hall in London. Junior doctors are to be balloted on industrial action, almost a year on from when union representatives walked out of contract negotiations […]
Video: Old jumpers – New politics?
What does Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party mean for the wider movement?
Magnificent response in Bristol to Calais Refugee Solidarity Campaign
Linda Nunn reports on the magnificent response to the Calais Refugee Solidarity Campaign in Bristol The Calais Refugee Solidarity Campaign in Bristol was set up just 6 weeks ago by 7 people. We now have 5500 members on Facebook, and have five sub groups covering Campaigning, Media , Fundraising, Volunteers and Collection of stuff for the […]
A Syrian Love Story
A Syrian Love Story tells the story of a Syrian family, whose lives are torn apart by the repression and turmoil of the Syrian revolution, and their enforced exile from home. Mark Boothroyd went to the showing at the Frontline Club earlier this week, which was followed by Q&A with Sean, the documentary maker, and Amer […]
The De-commissioned Army
Carlisle rs21 put forward a revolutionary perspective on the Corbyn victory Jeremy Corbyn’s victory is a milestone in the fight for a better society. It was a day when people who had been silenced by austerity found their voice and bellowed. We witnessed the death and burial of the Blair project. We got the conclusion […]
Colourful march continues East London housing fight
James B and Colin Revolting report: The Focus E15 Mothers housing activists led a march of around 500 people through Stratford, East London on Saturday 19 September to mark the second anniversary of their campaign. The ‘March against Evictions’ was loud, colourful and restated the determination of campaigners to win their battle. The broad range […]
Review: The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil
Just over 40 years after it was originally preformed, the Dundee Rep ensemble has revived the play The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil (running until 26 September). The original was written and performed by the 7-84 theatre company (named after the statistic 7% owned 84% of the wealth). Last year’s independence referendum in […]
Turnout drops in Greek elections as Syriza is returned to government
Colin Wilson takes a look at the results of Sunday’s general election in Greece Greece held a general election on Sunday called by prime minister Alexis Tsipras in the wake of his Syriza government’s capitulation to the European Union’s demands for austerity. Syriza was returned to power with a slightly reduced number of seats on […]
Fife residents meet to discuss solidarity with refugees and migrants
There has been a wave of support for people caught up in the migrant crisis. While the authorities have attempted to secure the gates to the fortress, people across Europe have started to organise mass campaigns of support and solidarity, participating in what Abdul Bostani from the Scottish Refugee Council describes as “active citizenship … […]
Two stories from Calais
On Saturday 19 September, members of the London2Calais took part in a demonstration of solidarity with the refugees at the camp in Calais, known as “The Jungle”. Here are two stories they brought back with them.
Why Russia backs Assad: a view from Russia’s anti-imperialist left
The editors of the Russian socialist website openleft.ru analyse why Russia is now openly moving troops into Syria to support the Assad regime. A whole range of evidence [also here] indicates that Russia is activating its military aid for the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad up to the point of direct involvement of Russian troops in the […]
3 ways to build the social movement in Britain after Corbyn’s victory
Jonny Jones discusses how Jeremy and his supporters, whether they are inside or outside the Labour Party, could help to build a social movement that can challenge the Tories and point towards serious social transformation. Jeremy Corbyn’s election as Labour leader has been met with astonishment and celebration from many, ridicule and fearmongering from others. While […]
Taking a longer view
Pete Cannell is an active member of Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition. He responds here to Mark Boothroyd’s article on the Syrian Revolution and the anti-war movement. It was good to read Mark Boothroyd’s article on the Syrian Revolution and the anti-war movement. My hope is that it will trigger a debate on how the movement […]
Not doing a Jay-Z
Jonas Liston is delighted by Jeremy Corbyn’s victory. But he’s not going to join the Labour Party. Whilst on the one hand today, I became the dickhead working on a roof in this ghastly torrential rain, who every passer-by pities, on the other hand, I’m delighted by the space Corbyn’s leadership election victory has opened […]
Dover: what kind of anti fascist movement do we need?
A letter from Thanet anti-fascists. On Saturday 12 September, the National Front, South East Alliance and other Nazi outfits numbering around 200-250 were able to march in Dover, declaring ‘Refugees Not Welcome Here’. Around a dozen people from Thanet joined the call out by the Anti Fascist Network (AFN) to counter them. When we turned […]
South Korean Marxist Economics after Soohaeng Kim
Seongjin Jeong, who is Professor of Economics at Gyeongsang National University, pays tribute to Soohaeng Kim, the “Godfather of Marxist economics” in South Korea. Professor Soohaeng Kim, South Korea’s most well-known Marxist economist, died of a heart attack on 1 August at the age of 72. He is survived by his wife and two sons. […]