topevent – Public Reading Rooms

Why British sports stars should not stand for the National Anthem

Kehinde Andrews — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 10:45:58 +0000

British sports stars should follow the example of those in the US ‘taking a knee’ in protest against racial injustice in America.

Kehinde Andrews: Tokenism at its worst, from a government that doesn’t actually care

On 10 October 2017, when the government published its audit on race equality in the UK, Theresa May said, “People who have lived with discrimination don’t need a government audit to make them aware of the scale of the challenge. But this audit means that for society as a whole – for government, for our public services – there is nowhere to hide. These issues are now out in the open. And the message is very simple: if these disparities cannot be explained then they must be changed.”

This audit is the worst kind of token gesture, made by a government that has no interest in addressing the systematic racial injustice. From the beginning it was an exercise in futility, gathering data that we already have to tell a story we are all well aware of. Racial inequality is as British as a cup of tea, and if the government did not know the scale of the problem before the audit then we should dissolve parliament immediately on the grounds of incompetence.

Rather than address the problem of racism the government is using the report as a symbolic exercise to show ministers care. They don’t. Theresa May has been part of a government that has made almost every indicator of racial equality worse over the past seven years. Even the minimal efforts on stop and search were mostly superficial, publishing the stats but not really addressing the issue.

Stop and search rates remain disproportionately high, and the underlying problem of ethnic minority communities and the criminal injustice system remains exactly the same. Austerity also hit these communities the hardest, while running down sectors such as education that are supposedly meant to address inequality.

The attack on public sector jobs has been particularly damaging to black communities who rely on the state for careers due to severe employment discrimination. As home secretary, May presided over one of the most racist periods of Britain’s migration policy, with “Go Home” vans, mass deportations and a willingness to let black bodies drown in the Mediterranean as a deterrent. It is offensive that this same prime minister and her government are using a completely empty gesture to burnish their racial justice credentials. The report is not welcome, and is actually a backward step in addressing the serious issues that Britain faces as a nation.

See also:
Khinde Andrews: What links Rio Olympics, Brexit and horrors of the British Empire?

30 Sept – 04 Oct | Manchester | Tories Out National Demonstration & Festival

Public Reading Rooms — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 22:54:29 +0000

Join a huge political and cultural festival in Manchester to coincide with the Tory Party conference.

Tories Out National Demonstration & Festival
30 Sept – 04 Oct | Manchester |

Sun 01 Oct National Demonstration | 12:00 – 16:00
Castlefield Bowl | Rice St | Manchester M3 4JR

Organised by: The People’s Assembly Against Austerity »
Facebook Event »

A series of gigs, parties, rallies, meetings, screenings, comedy nights, educational events, and a National Demonstration on Sunday 1 October, in the city to let the Tories know that we won’t rest until we have chased them out of office.

“How dare the Tories come to our city?! A city annihilated by their cuts.” was how actor and friend of the People’s Assembly Maxine Peake put it last year. 2017 is the time to remind the Tories they are still not welcome in this great city.

Brian Eno is the latest to add his name to a series of events protesting at the Tory Party Conference.

The Take Back Manchester Festival organised by The People’s Assembly Against Austerity will run from Friday 29 September to Wednesday 4 October and includes a major national demonstration, public meetings, gigs, comedy, theatre, rallies and music to demand the alternative to austerity.

Others joining Brian Eno who will make appearances at events during the festival include: John McDonnell MP, Guardian columnists Gary Younge & Owen Jones, Mancunian household favourites Julie Hesmondlagh & Maxine Peake, the revolution will be televised stars Jolyon Rubinstein and Heydon Prowse. Plus Trade Union leaders including Len McCluskey, Unite the Union General Secretary, Kevin Courtney from the teachers union and PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka. Musicians Lowkey, Captain Ska and Children of Zeus will headline the demo after party.

The centre piece for the week will be a national demonstration on Sunday 1 October, assembling at Castlefield Bowl with a programme of speakers, marching through the city ending with closing speeches at Piccadilly Gardens. Tens of thousands are expected to attend with transport arranged from across the country. The demo will demand: No More Austerity, Scrap The Pay Cap, For decent Health, Homes, Jobs & Education.

The main hub of activity for the week will the The People’s Assembly Event Marquee in the centre of town – Piccadilly Gardens. The marquee will host public meetings, book launches, workshops and more throughout the week.

Click here for full details of the Take Back Manchester Festival

04 Nov | London | Justice Now: Make It Right For Palestine – National March & Rally

Public Reading Rooms — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 22:50:59 +0000

Join us to demand justice and equal rights for Palestinians now.

Justice Now: Make It Right For Palestine – National March & Rally
Saturday 04 Nov | Assemble 12 noon Grosvenor Sq | W1K 6LF

Full details here… Transport across UK here…

Organised by: Palestine Solidarity Campaign » Palestinian Forum in Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain.

For the past 100 years Palestinian rights have been disregarded. On the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, which built the path for their dispossession, join us on 4 November to demand justice and equal rights for Palestinians now.

Speakers include: Dr Mustafa Barghouti / John Pilger / Prof Manuel Hassassian / Tariq Ali / Salma Yacoub / Ken Loach / Dave Randall.