Weekly Update Extra (#35a)

As the old saying goes, 3 days is a long time in politics. Here are some things you should know:

Israel's Assault on Palestine

Stop the War Emergency National Demonstration against the attacks on Gaza
The Stop the War Coalition have called for an emergency demonstration in London for next Saturday. On Friday an impromptu demonstration saw thousands protesting the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian population.

More here. Unfortunately we have no transport to London planned but we will update the blog with any changes. It would be great to hear reports from any comrades who are able to attend.

FBU Escalates Strike Action

Closer to home the Fire Brigades Union have announced a further 8 consecutive days of strike action, which is brilliant. Get your union branch to support them -  send messages of support to Chris Tapp here: chris.tapp@fbu.org.uk and visit pickets if possible.

Strike dates:

• Monday 14 July: 6am–8am and 5pm–7pm
• Tuesday 15 July: 6am–8am and 5pm–7pm
• Wednesday 16 July: 6am–8am and 5pm–7pm
• Thursday 17 July: 6am–8am and 5pm–7pm
• Friday 18 July: 6am–8am and 11pm–1am on Saturday 19 July
• Saturday 19 July: 11am–1pm and 11pm–1am on Sunday 20 July
• Sunday 20 July: 5pm–7pm
• Monday 21 July: 6am–8am and 5pm–7pm

Branch Meetings

Finally a reminder that this week's meeting is the postponed 'Art and Protest' - Thursday at 7 pm West End Community Centre (click here for map location).

Merry Christmas and a New Year of Fighting Back!

Hello everyone,

Hope that the mince pies are being consumed and the lights are up - this is your festive update from the Derby Socialist Workers' Party!

 

2013 has been a tumultuous political year, with setbacks for workers like Grangemouth, but also fantastic successes such as the Hovis workers and the ongoing action by the teachers unions and university lecturers - and the SWP has been at the heart of everything, helping to support and organise the fightback wherever we can, celebrating our successes and offering a way forward after defeats.

 

Our next meeting will not be until the 9th of January, when we will be discussing Prospects for socialists in 2014. Come and join us at 7pm at the West End Community Centre!

 

In the meantime a few comrades have been doing the rounds of Derby's fire stations as the fire fighters have been out on strike from 7 pm this evening, taking messages of solidarity and copies of the paper to workers under attack by the coalition who once again want our class to pay for the crisis by cutting essential services.

 

They will be out again on New Years' Eve from 6.30 pm, and as anyone who has been on strike will know, support will be warmly received!

 

In the meantime, here is a picture of Christmas cheer to tide us over until the fightback resumes in 2014!

 

Weekly Update #12

Morning comrades!

A couple of updates for you this week from the SWP!

Branch Meeting

This week's branch meeting will be on Verdi and Italian Nationalism. Last month was the 200^th anniversary of the composer Verdi, whose music had an enormous impact on Italian unification. Find out more on Thursday 14^th November, 7pm at the West End Community Centre!

Next week we have a classically-themed talk with Can Socialists Learn from the Ancient World? One of our comrades will talk us through some important events from the ancient world and ask what lessons we can learn to help us today. Come along for a lively talk and discussion on Thursday 21^st November, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre!

Firefighters Take Action over Pensions

At this week's stall we had a petition to support the firefighters in their current dispute over the government's decision to keep firefighters climbing ladders and putting out fires until they are 60. We had a lot of support from the public for the firefighters. Show your support by signing the petition online here:

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-uk-scottish-and-welsh-governments-stop-attacks-on-firefighter-pensions