Over 400,000 public sector workers from the PCS, UNITE, RMT, UCU and NUT Trade Unions joined a 24 hour strike on May 10th over government cuts to pensions.
In London pickets were well attended with some strikers marching from St Thomas’s hospital to a rally in Westminster Central Hall addressed by Union leaders. Photos by Guy Smallman
On 31 March the EDL had invited to Aarhus, Denmark, to set up a European “anti-islamic alliance”. They got about 160 people to come, we can only guess the important topics discussed, such as strategy for the defense against Muslamic Ray Guns. 4,000 antifascists made a clear point that none of the islamophobes were welcome (there is an argument coming through the window half way through the video).
The DDL, Danish Defense League, recorded their retreat under police protection and put it on YouTube. For the convenience of those of us who do not speak Danish, here is a cut down version with English subtitles.
The repeatedly used term “perker” – here translated as “wog” – is a Danish racist slur directed at people from North Africa and the Middle East. In strength it equals “nigger”, but doesn’t have a direct translation.
And all this after they had made it clear such behaviour would not be tolerated. Quote from the call: “We want to make it clear to racists, neo-Nazis and any other extremists – you are not welcome.” And they nevertheless ended up with a whole busload full of racists.
Following their humiliation in Aarhus and Brighton, the EDL have veered towards the dangerous end in their triangle of ridiculous – dumb – dangerous, attacking a pensioner in Lewisham.
As we move closer to finishing nearly two hours of films on the Greek resistance sending shockwaves around the world, we present a special pre-tour screening in Cardiff on Tuesday, May 15th.
This is your first chance to see footage from the occupied workplaces that have been on strike all year, from the occupied hospitals where doctors and other health workers are taking militant action to stop the destruction of the health service, from the neighbourhood assemblies self-organising in the communities and from the many other groups taking direct action against austerity.
The final versions of all the films will be ready by the start of June – as will details of the tour in June and July. If you want to arrange a screening in your locality, get in touch.
Tuesday May 15th, 6:30pm
Red & Black Umbrella Social Centre
57-58 Clifton St
Adamstown, Cardiff CF24 1LS
In February, the feminist punk band Pussy Riot stormed into Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow and to perform their anti Putin song “Punk prayer”. Ekaterina Samusevich, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, alleged members of Pussy Riot, were arrested in March, and are charged with “Hooliganism”. They face up to 7 years in jail. Amnesty International has called for their immediate and unconditional release, and said the excessive penalty they are facing makes them prisoners of conscience.
At a trial last Thursday they were remanded for another 2 months in jail, although two of the defendants have young children.
On Monday, 23 April, about 100 people, many of whom wearing neon balaclavas, the trade mark of Pussy Riot, protested outside the Russian Embassy in London, demanding “Free Pussy Riot!”.
Update: Video of the performance that has three young women imprisoned:
On Sunday the racist English Defence League were humiliated in Brighton on their annual ‘March for England’. Their numbers were considerably down on previous years with less than 100 EDL/MFE supporters gathering at the train station.
Meanwhile nearly 1,000 counter demonstrators mobilised by Brighton Anti Fascists and the UAF lined the route of the march from the station. The Police whom had clearly underestimated the opposition to the event quickly lost control of the situation as antifascists blocked the road. The planned route was abandoned and the racists were taken down a shortcut to their rally point only to be faced with more barricades and harassment from activists. It took nearly two hours for them to get to the end of their march where they remained surrounded and heckled by angry local people.
Greek doctors call for solidarity and international cooperation in the fight for a public and free health care system, where patients aren’t made to pay.
We will be adding more videos on the privatisation of the Greek health system soon. Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook to get the latest updates.
Help us make our special issue DVD on the current struggles in Greece by sharing this video, taking out a subscription or donating. Also keep checking back for the Reel News Supporters scheme which we will be launching soon.
While we’re struggling in Britain to save the NHS, the people in Greece are already experiencing what it means to have their health care system privatised. This will be part of a documentary about the drastic cuts to the Greek health care system, won by the people as recently as 1985.
To help us make this and a series of other documentaries on Greece, take out a subscription or make a donation. Also keep a look out for the Reel News Supporter scheme which we will be launching shortly.
On Thursday, 5th April 2012, Marios Lolos, a photojournalist, was hit on the head by a police truncheon while covering a peaceful protest in response to the recent suicide of a 77 year-old man in protest to austerity measures. Marios Lolos sustained a brain injury and had to have surgery yesterday. We extend our best wishes to him and everyone else who has been injured and wish them the best for their recovery. Read more about the incident on Keep Talking Greece.
Update (9.4.12): A call for eyewitnesses and photo or video evidence of the attack has been published. You can also get in touch with us and we will pass on your info.
Reporters Without Borders had already issued an alarm last autumn, criticising the violence faced by journalists in Greece. In a recent article they also address thinly veiled threats of sexual violence made by police officers against Anthee Carassava, when she attempted to identify officers who had attacked her earlier, in order to be able to report the incident during the Independence Day Parades on 25th March 2012.
On the same day, we witnessed journalist Nectarios Dargakis being arrested twice. The first time, town councilor Petros Kostantinou was also arrested, and both were released after he called a government minister from inside the police van. The second time, Nectarios Dargakis did get arrested. In both incidents officers tried to stop us from filming.
Marios Lolos is the president of the union of photojournalists in Greece, EFE issued a statement following the attacks on him and other journalists (see English version). The London Photographers branch of the NUJ has published a letter of support.
The rank and file sparks committee have just sent us this appeal, which we’re very happy to pass on:
Rank & File construction workers appeal for donations to their fighting find. This an appeal for donations to the rank and file unite construction workers fighting fund.
We realise money is tight at this time through no fault of our own we are paying for the bankers and capatalist crisis. The BESNA struggle is ongoing even though the BESNA firms pulled back from their savage attack on the sparks and pipefitters. We have now embarked on another struggle as well as the current one, the great agency rip off.
This is a campaign for direct employment on all building sites. We have a long way to go in our campaign and are desperately short of funds. In the coming period we will have to pay for rank and file meetings, leaflets, and our siteworker magazine. Please try to donate to our fighting fund, raise it at trade council meetings and union branches. Please pass this appeal onto the wider trade union movement.
Cheques should be made payable to joint sites committee and sent to:
70 darnay rise
chelmsford
essex
cm1 4xa
Many thanks,
In solidarity Alan Keays”
siteworkers@virginmedia.com
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