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 […]
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.
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 […]
Thousands show solidarity with refugees at London demo
Steve Eason reports: Following the public response to news reports of refugee deaths in the Mediterranean and the recent publicity of the struggles of refugees camped at Calais, and ahead of Monday’s EU emergency meeting on the refugee crisis, on Saturday marches and rallies were held in solidarity with refugees across Europe. The two biggest marches […]
The Syrian Revolution and the crisis of the anti-war movement
Suddenly, everyone is talking about Syria. Saturday’s demonstration will be in solidarity with all refugees, but a Syrian refugee is one of the key organisers. Campaigners from the Syria Solidarity Movement UK and Stop the War Coalition are among those involved in the planning, along with many other organisations. Everyone should welcome this commitment to […]
Refugee crisis: Merkel’s double game
The media has shown refugees being welcomed to Germany, and Cameron’s response has been so inadequate he’s made even Angela Merkel look good. But, as Mark Bergfeld writes from Germany, the government there has its own motivations – and the welcome of the last few days may quickly sour. The media here is full of photos, videos […]
Cambridge rallies to refugee cause
Mitch Mitchell reports on a march and rally in support of refugees in Cambridge.
LET – THEM – IN!
Miriyam Aouragh salutes solidarity initiatives from below that counter the racist border policies of our rulers. “I’m happy to look after children, take them to kindergarten, school and wherever they need. I can cook for people and show them friendship and warmth. I can pay the airfare for one small family. I can contribute with […]
Official harassment won’t stop us, say Calais campaigners
Members of the Convoy to Calais were held for several hours yesterday after returning from France. But campaigner Mona D says convoy participants won’t be intimidated and will keep supporting refugees in desperate need in Calais. Mona’s statement reads as follows: Yesterday British border police threatened to refuse my “leave to enter” the United Kingdom. This happened after […]
Left solidarity: supporting grassroots movements in Syria
Last weekend, Syrian activists and their supporters around the world held demonstrations to mark the second anniversary of the Sarin gas attack in Ghouta. Many Syrians feel that they have been at best ignored by much of the mainstream international left and anti-war movements, who often focus on geopolitics rather than the demands of the […]
Migrant workers’ victory in Korea
Sam MacDonald reports from Seoul on migrants’ successful struggle to win legal recognition for their trade union. Over the past 50 years, few countries have experienced such a dramatic economic rise as South Korea. A country once known for sweatshops and cheap manufactured goods now produces some of the world’s most advanced ships, cars and electronics. An […]
Hey, hey, Theresa May, how many kids have you drowned today?
Campaigners are standing up to the Tories’ racism against immigrants and refugees. Sherrl Yanowitz and Neil Rogall report from the protest at Downing Street on 20 August. Yesterday our vile Home Secretary Theresa May was in Calais. When the refugees tried to go and join a demonstration in the city centre they were stopped by police. […]
Convoy to Calais part 2
Mitch Mitchell continues his report from the convoy to Calais, bringing food, clothes and solidarity to the migrants camped there.
Convoy to Calais
Mitch Mitchell reports on the convoy that he and others are taking to Calais this weekend with food, clothes and other things that have been donated by people in the UK to show solidarity with the migrants there.
The longest picket line I’ve ever seen
Both the striking workers and desperate migrants at Calais need our solidarity, writes Colin Frost Herbert. The longest picket line I’ve ever seen. Or rather the longest effects of a picket line. The news cameras pan back to show a helicopter view of the Kent countryside and three miles of two lines of parked juggernauts […]
EU debate: “Exit will only act to strengthen Fortress UK”
Mikhil Karnik argues that EU law is essential in ensuring that some, including some of those from outside the EU, have the right to reside in the UK. I understand why Owen Jones seeks to seize the opportunity presented by the conduct of the EU and the leaders of its member states in relation to […]
EU debate: In, out, or shake it all about?
Adam DC puts forward a radical abstentionist point of view in the debate about what position socialists should take about the upcoming referendum on Britain’s membership to the EU The starting point for any discussion regarding the UK’s European Union (EU) referendum must be that the issue is one between different factions of capital and […]
The real effects of racist immigration policy
Kat Burdon-Manley lays out how the current government’s failures around the Mediterranean migrant crisis links to immigration policy at home In the first half of 2015 an unprecedented number of people were killed on the Mediterranean by decisions of our governments. The UK is complicit in the murders of approximately 1750 people travelling from north […]
Cartoon: Not waving but drowning
by Caliban’s Revenge, originally featured in the Summer 2015 issue of the rs21 magazine
A tree without roots
Zakir Gul argues that the axing of ‘community languages’ at A level reveals the government’s contempt for Britain’s ethnic minorities and their heritages. White just got whiter. Examination boards AQA and OCR have decided to axe several essential languages at A level. The list includes Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Polish, Turkish and Persian. The British government’s […]
Migrant solidarity protest in Manchester
Mikhil Karnik reports About 100-150 protesters gathered and laid flowers outside the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal in Manchester on Friday evening. They were there in solidarity with those asylum seekers and migrants who have perished in the Mediterranean Sea, and to protest against the complete indifference of European Governments, who bear real responsibility for the […]
I wish there was a secret army of fish
by Miriyam Aouragh I wish there was a secret army of fish with magical powers near Lampedusa that saved our brothers and sisters when drowning. I wish there were ghosts springing from these dead-underwater bodies that first fly to EU politicians and border police to sprinkle horrific pain on them and then past Katie Hopkins […]
Video: Protesting Katie Hopkins’ hate
Health activist Mark Boothroyd speaking at the Drown (Out) Katie Hopkins protest on Sunday against her hosting a 2 hour show on LBC. On Saturday the Sun published a column where she used terms such as ‘cockroaches’, ‘festering sores’ and ‘norovirus’ to describe immigrants. Mark calls for open borders and safe passage for refugees. Hundreds of […]
Doing politics differently: Beyond UKIP
In a country pub in Kent, “an occasion of pure love” celebrating diversity and unity sent a message to Nigel Farage that we will not take his hatred quietly. Sophie W spoke to a few of the Beyond UKIP Cabaret members about the event, and their thoughts on UKIP and political activism more generally. Why […]
Trevor Phillips and the ideological battle over racism
Anindya Bhattacharyya discusses anti-racist responses to Trevor Phillips. “Trevor Phillips needs to shut up right about now,” read the Facebook update of a friend of mine on Thursday night. The former head of the Commission for Racial Equality was presenting a heavily trailed programme on Channel 4 that purported to state certain “truths” about race […]
“I’m going to kill a cow.”
by Anindya Bhattacharyya “I’m going to kill a cow,” he declared, scrutinising my face. I stared back blankly. There was a short awkward silence. “So are you offended by that? I bet you’re really offended by that.” He would then proceed to explain why I ought to be offended by him killing a cow – but […]
Here to Stay, Here to Fight – Home Office protest for Migrants’ Rights Day
International Migrants’ Day on Thursday 18 December happened only two days after G4S guards were acquitted of the murder of Jimmy Mubenga. Sophie Williams of DocsNotCops reports from a protest outside the Home Office. This year’s Migrants Right’s Day saw scores of demonstrators take to the streets outside the Home Office. Called by NUS International […]
“All you people are watching them kill me”
Jimmy Mubenga was killed as he was forcibly deported from the UK in 2010. The guards who were found guilty of unlawful killing at the inquest have now been cleared of manslaughter at the Old Bailey.