Challenging the neoliberal university: Inside the Warwick occupation
A building at the University of Warwick has been occupied since last week, after Police violence broke up a peaceful protest. Martin Platais reports from within the occupation. On Wednesday 3 December, the management of Warwick University sent in police armed with Tasers, dogs, and CS-spray who proceeded to break up a peaceful sit-in being […]
Historical Materialism 2014: Reversing the decline
In the third of three articles, UNITE union activist Ian Allinson reports from four very useful sessions[i] learning from the North American Labour movement at this year’s Historical Materialism conference. Several speakers presented evidence of the serious decline in union membership density (the proportion of workers in a union), collective bargaining coverage (the proportion of […]
The left and Anonymous
Roderick C argues that the organised left should be playing an active role in protests called by groups like Anonymous This year’s Anonymous protest in London, called to mark 5 November, the night of “gunpowder, treason and plot”, attracted twice as many participants as a similar affair last year. It was part of a global […]
Break Prison: a look at incarceration
Mitch Mitchell shares his experience of prison in the 1970s, and looks at the way the system continues to be used as a method of oppression against the working class and people of colour.
Scotland and Spain: lessons from contemporary social movements
Scotland and Spain have both seen mainstream politics in crisis in recent months. Neil Davidson and Luke Stobart discussed the significance of recent events at a meeting organised by rs21 in London on 30 November 2014.
ACAB from Warwick to NYC
Whether it’s killing black people in America or London, or attacking peaceful student protesters at Warwick University with CS spray, cops worldwide are racist and violent. Rob Owen looks at why that is. You have the emergence in human society Of this thing that’s called the State What is the State? The State is this organized […]
Media roundup – protests across America against police racism
Protests are taking place in cities and colleges across the US – and striking fast food workers are linking the fight against police racism with their struggle for a living wage. We’ve brought together pictures from dozens of marches and die-ins, and more protests are planned for the next few days. Protests have continued across the […]
The New Jim Crow – how America’s rulers boost racism
How can we understand racism in America? Michelle Alexander’s book The New Jim Crow, published in 2010, examines how mass incarceration and the “war on drugs” has institutionalised racism in US society. American racism does not operate as it did in the 1960s and before, when “Jim Crow” laws designated separate black and white restaurants, train […]
Student day of action sees protests, occupations and police violence
In December 2014, a day of action for free education saw students on up to 40 campuses take part in protests, stunts and occupations.
Review – How I Stopped Being a Jew
Neil Rogall reviews How I Stopped Being a Jew, the third part of Shlomo Sand’s trilogy of books about Zionism and Israel.
Poverty in the UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation report
A new report on poverty contains key information about how society is changing – changes that are likely to influence the shape of struggles to come, writes Colin Wilson. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s recent report shows the government’s claimed “economic recovery” is doing little for large numbers of people – we live in a society […]
Historical Materialism 2014: Migration, the Labour Market and Social Reproduction
The second of three articles by UNITE union activist Ian Allinson, reporting from four very useful sessions[1] on learning the North American Labour movement at this year’s Historical Materialism conference. We’re all busy fighting to stop “blame the migrants” arguments from politicians from UKIP to Labour and from the press getting a hold in our […]
Acquaintance rape: reassessing a classic study
Robin Warshaw’s book “I Never Called It Rape” was first published in 1988. Shanice Octavia McBean reconsiders it now as a contribution to the discussion emerging from the last few years’ rise in anti-rape activism. “I Never Called It Rape” by Robin Warshaw was a seminal book of its time, and for that it must be given […]
London protesters show solidarity with Ferguson, bringing traffic to a halt
Amy Gilligan reports from last night’s #LondonToFerguson rally Around 2,000 protesters – young, black and white, people of all genders, lead by women – raced through the streets of central London last night to demand justice for Michael Brown and show solidarity with demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri. The London protest came in the wake of Monday’s decision against indicting Darren Wilson, the police officer who […]
Ferguson solidarity protests across the US: Photos and videos
After the decision not to indite Darren Wilson, people across the US people have taken to the streets to demand justice for Michael Brown. Join the protest tonight in London, 7pm, outside the US Embassy, organised by London Black Revolutionaries, NUS Black Students campaign, BARAC and Defend the Right to Protest. Washington DC: The protest […]
Historical Materialism 2014: Marxist-feminist challenges to neoliberalism
Lois JC reports on the session entitled “Marxist-feminist challenges to neoliberalism” that took place at the London Historical Materialism 2014 conference earlier this month, with Hester Eisenstein, Estelle Cooch and Catherine Rottenberg. The meeting on neoliberalism and feminism at the Historical Materialism conference was a timely and serious contribution towards analysing feminist movements today. Feminism seems […]
Film review: Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Becca Short reviews Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, the first part of the finale of the Hunger Games trilogy was released on the 20th November. On its opening night, the Mockingjay made $55 million, a figure down from $67 million for The Hunger Games and $70 million for […]
The results are in
An open letter from protesters on the Grand Jury decision. 24th November 2014. In Ferguson, a wound bleeds. For 108 days, we have been in a state of prolonged and protracted grief. In that time, we have found community with one another, bonding together as family around the simple notion that our love for our community compels us to fight […]
Ferguson – Darren Wilson has got away with murder
People who suffer under police brutality and racism have a right to fight for justice, write Nicole Colson and Alan Maass in this report from the US – and that fight will go on. Darren Wilson has gotten away with murder – and the American injustice system sent the message once again that black lives don’t matter. It was […]
Theresa May on terrorism – ramping up failed, racist policies
Theresa May has unveiled new and extended anti-terrorism measures. As an rs21 member writes, this is a continuation of policies which have failed in the Middle East and are encouraging racism here. Today, in a bizarre move, Theresa May made an announcement for “Counter Terrorism Awareness Week”. My initial thoughts were, why now? It hasn’t […]
Historical Materialism 2014: Mobilise or organise
This year’s Historical Materialism conference included four[1] very useful sessions reflecting on the North American Labour movement. In the first of three articles, Unite activist Ian Allinson reports on discussions about alternative organising strategies. Workers in the North America face similar challenges to us in the UK, but generally worse: low and declining union density; […]
Strike for wages, strike for the NHS
NHS workers are on strike today from 7am to 11am over attacks on their pay. Head down and show your support at the picket lines. The rs21 leaflet supporting the strike can be found here. The NHS is at breaking point. Chronic underfunding and under-investment is putting patients at risk. Instead of ending the scam […]
Radical Independence Conference – hopeful, energetic, impressive
Three thousand people took part on Saturday in the Radical Independence Conference in Glasgow. Christine Bird reports from an inspiring event, part of the renewal of the left in Scotland.
Inside the NHS: why workers are taking action
Tomorrow healthcare workers from across nine unions are taking action over defence of pay at the NHS. The strike is for four hours between 7am and 11am. The rs21 leaflet in support of the strike can be found here Mary, a student nurse at King’s College London, highlights the important of those at the start […]
Scotland: the Social Movement for Independence and the Crisis of the British State
During the last week we’ve published a major analysis of Scottish politics after the independence referendum by historian and activist Neil Davidson in five parts. Now here it is all in one place.
Understanding Podemos: Radical populism
In the second of three articles about Podemos, Luke Stobart makes a critical examination of the political ideas behind the group who are now Podemos’ formal leadership. The “secret” of Podemos according to Pablo Iglesias: I have defeat tattooed on my DNA. My great-uncle was shot dead. My grandfather was given the death sentence and spent 5 […]
Scotland – what next?
In the fifth and final part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, written in late September, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson looks at events since the vote.
Students march in London for free education
Dan Swain reports from today’s student demonstration in London. Over 7000 students joined today’s demonstration for free education in London, making it the largest student demonstration in Britain since 2011. The demonstration was organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts and the Student Assembly Against Austerity, and supported by the Young Greens. It […]
Women in science and the sexist space shirt
As space probe Philae landed on comet 67P last week, a row erupted over a sexist shirt. Geophysicist Amy Gilligan looks at the under-representation of women in science – and how it can be challenged. Last week Philae, a lander deployed by the European Space Agency spacecraft Rosetta, made contact with comet 67P. Rosetta left […]
Scotland – Understanding the result
In the fourth part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson looks at the detail of the referendum results.