BOOK YOUR PLACE Tomorrow, Saturday 1 October, 175,000 workers across Britain will be on strike – postal workers in the CWU, rail workers in the RMT, and workers at two major docks in Unite. 40,000 BT and Openreach workers in the CWU are then on strike in October for four days, with other unions balloting members or moving towards ballots to join action, including in the NHS, schools, universities, the civil service, firefighters. Tomorrow, Saturday 1 October, strike demonstrations are set to take place in 30 towns and cities across Britain. VOLUNTEER TO HELP STAND UP TO RACISM ON THE DEMONSTRATIONS TOMORROW email info@standuptoracism.org.uk of you can help Stand Up To Racism sends its solidarity to all in the trade union movement now collectively taking on the Truss government to fight for a solution to the cost of living crisis that offers an alternative to the racist division, the intensification of hostile environment for migrants and refugees, and the increase in racism. We must actively organise and reject the politics of divide and rule and work to build unity and solidarity. On 15 October the international conference, How can we stop the racist offensive?, taking place in central London (nearest tubes: Russell Square/ Warren Street/ Euston) and online, will include the above session: Cost of Living Crisis – Unity & Solidarity – Don’t Let Them Divide Us, as one of four sessions with speakers from across the trade union movement. It will discuss and organise how we can link the fight against increasing levels of racism being pushed by the government, with the upcoming strikes and mass actions by unions. Stand Up To Racism, Care4Calais and the TUC have been working very closely in the fight to #StopRwanda offshore detention, with days of protest backed by 13 trade unions, Refugee Council, Amnesty International UK, and a whole host of campaigns, celebrities, politicians and faith groups. The PCS union has led alongside Care4Calais in the legal challenges that have successfully defeated Priti Patel’s disgusting ‘pushbacks’ policy, and now challenging the legality of the Rwanda plan. We are also fighting the Nationality and Borders Act which smashes up the international human right to claim asylum for the vast majority who have no access to so called “legal” routes. We have seen ongoing mass campaigns over the violence of institutional racism and police violence in Britain bursting in cries of rage onto the streets, whether over the killing of Chris Kaba or the strip searching of Child Q and the many others. The Italian elections came as another shock wave in a process where fascist organisations are making breakthroughs in political office – with Georgia Meloni, a fascist, now elected prime minister of Italy. This follows the gains of fascists in the Swedish elections and French elections in recent weeks and months. Organising mass, united and active opposition to the racist offensive is imperative in the current situation. The threat and danger of racism in dividing us is huge, but so is the scale of anti racist feeling. This was shown in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement. We must organise that anti racist majority into a mighty movement that can turn the tide. Sessions at the conference will include:1) From Child Q to Chris Kaba resisting institutional racism 2) #StopRwanda opposing the racist hostile environment – all refugees welcome 3) Cost of Living crisis – unity & solidarity don’t let the racists divide us 4) How do we stop the racist & fascist right – no to hate and division BOOK YOUR PLACE Confirmed speakers so far include: Kevin Courtney National Education Union General Secretary Shami Chakrabarti former Shadow Attorney General and human rights activist Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP Jermain Jackman winner of the Voice 2014 Dawn Butler MP Wilf Sullivan TUC Race Equality Officer Sarah Woolley BFAWU General Secretary Clare Moseley founder of Care4Calais Francesco Galleri Italian anti racist / 6000 Sardines Michael Holding international cricketer and author Birdgirl (Dr. Mya-Rose Craig) ornithologist and climate activist Shavanah Taj Wales TUC general secretary David Rosenberg Jewish Socialist Group Chantelle Lunt Merseyside BLM Marcia Rigg Justice campaigner Juliana Ojinnaka UCU Black Members Committee Chair Ryan Colaço campaigner against police brutality Denis Goddard French anti racist activist Cathy Pound Searchlight Talha Ahmad Muslim Council of Britain Mohammed Kozbar Muslim Association ofBritain Paula Peters Disabled People Against Cuts Trevor Ngwane South African anti apartheid and environmental campaigner |