Marxism 2016 - It's Not Too Late!

This year's Marxism Festival was full of fantastic meetings on every topic under the sun, but if you couldn't make it, don't despair!

Many of the meetings were filmed, and most of those videos have now been uploaded to our Youtube channel. You can find the playlist here:



In addition, those meetings which weren't filmed were all recorded. Get your year's supply of socialist meetings on MP3 from our Bandcamp page here!

Make sure you don't miss out on announcements about next year's festival - bookmark the official festival page https://marxismfestival.org.uk/

Marxism Festival is a one-of-a-kind event, the largest in Europe. Join thousands of lefties for 5 days of meetings, gigs, films and much, much more!

If you like what you see and hear at Marxism, why not come along to our branch meetings and consider joining us? The SWP is at the heart of the struggle, but we need to be as big as possible to be as effective as possible!

As our rulers try to force more sexism, racism, austerity, poverty, inequality and more wars onto us we have a world to win.

Update #90

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• Next branch meeting - Greece: Austerity & Resistance
• Report from People's Assembly National Demonstration April 16th
• Marxism 2016 - have you got your tickets yet?

Branch Meetings

The SWP is a party of activists who know that we need to understand the world to be effective in our actions. Our meetings have a discussion about key issues: economic, political, historical and cultural; as well as planning for events and activities.

Last week we had a really great discussion on Pride, Politics & Protest: a Marxist Analysis of LGBT+ Oppression.

This week we look at Greece and how the situation between the Troika, Syriza and the Greek working class is developing with Greece: Austerity and Resistance

Thursday 21st April
7 pm
West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

All welcome. See you there!

People's Assembly Against Austerity - National Demonstration 16th April

This demonstration was big and loud! Read our report here: http://derbyswp.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/thousands-take-to-streets-to-demand.html



Marxism Festival 2016

The first peek at this year's Marxism Festival is out now.

Marxism festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe - thousands of people attending a five day festival of ideas, with meetings on a vast range of subjects and loads of activities. Here is last year's opening rally to give you an idea of the event:

It is a fantastic event and anyone who wants to change the world should get down to it!

For more details see the official website here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/

If you want to go but are worried that you will not be able to afford it please get in touch. 

We will do everything we can to help you to attend this fantastic event. email derbyswp@gmail.com or find us on Facebook, Derby SWP or on Twitter @derbywsp



Can't make our meetings?
If you want to find out more about us, meet some of our comrades, sign up to any of our petitions, find out about campaigns we are involved in, buy our paper or get hold of some of our other literature, why not come along to the campaign stall on Saturdays?

Find us on St Peter's St from 12 pm!

Update #87

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• Next branch meeting - Fortress Europe: refugees, racism and the state
• Emergency protest against forced school academisation called by Derby NUT this Wednesday!
• Report back from National Demonstration - Stand Up To Racism & Fascism, refugees welcome here #M19
• People's Assembly National Demonstration April 16th - get the coach and join in!
• Marxism 2016 - have you got your tickets yet? Discount on tickets until end of March!

Branch Meetings

The SWP is a party of activists who know that we need to understand the world to be effective in our actions. Our meetings have a discussion about key issues: economic, political, historical and cultural; as well as planning for events and activities.

Last week's branch meeting was really brilliant - lively and with a great discussion. This week's topic follows naturally from Saturday's #M19 Refugees Welcome Here demonstration. Fortress Europe: refugees, racism and the state Racism from the far right is a reaction to racism at a structural level. How and why do the capitalist classes of the EU create and reinforce racism? Join us for a lively discussion on Thursday 24th March, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

All welcome. See you there!

Emergency Demonstration against forced academisation - Wednesday 23rd March 5 pm outside the Council House

On Wednesday the Tories announced, alongside its swingeing attacks on the disabled and improved benefits for millionaires, its education white paper which will force all schools in the country into becoming academies - effectively private companies which will make profit out of our children's education.

Derby NUT has called an emergency demonstration this Wednesday night at 5 pm outside the council house.

Academies are undemocratic, bad for students and bad for teachers. Join the demonstration and make some noise!

Facebook page for the demonstration: click here!

20,000 people say: Refugees Are Welcome Here!

Saturday's national Stand Up To Racism demonstration was a huge success! Read the report here!

People's Assembly Against Austerity - National Demonstration 16th April

In the wake of Osborne's budget and with the Tories tearing themselves apart, now is the time to ramp up the pressure and bring them down! Join the national demonstration organised by the People's Assembly on 16th April.

There is transport going down - book your ticket here!

Marxism Festival 2016

The first peek at this year's Marxism Festival is out now.

Marxism festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe - thousands of people attending a five day festival of ideas, with meetings on a vast range of subjects and loads of activities.

It is a fantastic event and anyone who wants to change the world should get down to it!

There's £5 off ticket prices if you book before the end of March. For more details see the official website here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/

If you want to go but are worried that you will not be able to afford it please get in touch. 

We will do everything we can to help you to attend this fantastic event. email derbyswp@gmail.com or find us on Facebook, Derby SWP or on Twitter @derbywsp



Can't make our meetings?
If you want to find out more about us, meet some of our comrades, sign up to any of our petitions, find out about campaigns we are involved in, buy our paper or get hold of some of our other literature, why not come along to the campaign stall on Saturdays?

Find us on St Peter's St from 12 pm!

Update #86

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• Next branch meeting - is Sanders the new Corbyn? Guest speaker Dave Hayes confirmed!
• Stand Up To Racism stall on Saturday
• National Demonstration - Stand Up To Racism & Fascism, refugees welcome here #M19
• Marxism 2016 - have you got your tickets yet? Discount on tickets until end of March!

Branch Meetings

The SWP is a party of activists who know that we need to understand the world to be effective in our actions. Our meetings have a discussion about key issues: economic, political, historical and cultural; as well as planning for events and activities.

This week we have no branch meeting but next Thursday, 17th March, should be exceptionally good: is Bernie Sanders America's Jeremy Corbyn? With so much media attention focused on the ongoing atrocity exhibition that is Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders' spectacular electoral performance is increasingly marginalised. But what do his significant victories so far and on Super Tuesday mean for progressive politics in the USA? And meanwhile, what is happening to the Corbyn team in its supporters in the UK? Join us for a lively discussion on Thursday 17th March, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

All welcome. See you there!

Stand Up To Racism stall

After last week's successful rally for Derby's fledgling Stand Up To Racism campaign, the group are holding a stall to promote the group and the upcoming national #M19 Stand Up To Racism demonstration.

There will be a stall on St Peter's St from 11 am to 1 pm. Socialists should do whatever they can to make this stall as big as possible. Spread the word, and come down to help out!

All Out for #M19!Over the last two years the annual Stand Up To Racism demonstration in London on the UN's Anti-Racism Day has become a bigger and bigger event.

It is a celebration of our diversity and a powerful riposte to the forces within the ruling class that seek to divide us and promote racism, and the vultures of the far right that feed off its leftovers.

A big turnout from Derby will help to build a strong anti-racist campaign in the city. Come on the demonstration if you can - spread the word and make sure people know how to get a seat on the coach!

Marxism Festival 2016

The first peek at this year's Marxism Festival is out now.

Marxism festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe - thousands of people attending a five day festival of ideas, with meetings on a vast range of subjects and loads of activities.

It is a fantastic event and anyone who wants to change the world should get down to it!

There's £5 off ticket prices if you book before the end of March. For more details see the official website here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/

If you want to go but are worried that you will not be able to afford it please get in touch. 

We will do everything we can to help you to attend this fantastic event. email derbyswp@gmail.com or find us on Facebook, Derby SWP or on Twitter @derbywsp



Can't make our meetings?
If you want to find out more about us, meet some of our comrades, sign up to any of our petitions, find out about campaigns we are involved in, buy our paper or get hold of some of our other literature, why not come along to the campaign stall on Saturdays?

Find us on St Peter's St from 12 pm!

Marxism 2014 Roundup

UPDATE - VIDEO OF OPENING RALLY NOW UP!

Opening Rally (pic from Socialist Worker)

Marxism is always a big event for anyone on the revolutionary left, but this year's was particularly good. Maybe it's because it's been a long year, maybe it's because we had a brilliant piece of national strike action the day before, maybe it's because there were some really brilliant talks and a high level of politics in the discussions.

In short, there are a lot of reasons Marxism 2014 was brilliant. In fact, it was a real wrench to leave before the end, but the world of exploitation was calling.

Running the Fringe Gauntlet to get to the picnics ...

Mmm, picnics

John Pilger, Darcus Howe, Gareth Peirce and Matt Foot prepare to discuss the legacy of our comrade Paul Foot

Branch Secretary's Picks of the Weekend

As always at Marxism, I only saw a fraction of the talks that I wanted to, but my top 5 highlights were:

• Miners Shot Down, a film about the massacre of 34 miners by the South African police in 2012. Whilst harrowing the film does an excellent job of demonstrating how the capitalist class and the state colluded in creating the situation, without editorialising. Very powerful.
• Still The Enemy Within, another film about miners, this time covering the 1984-5 Miners' Strike that almost brought down Thatcher. Lots of excellent contributions from miners and footage that is still disturbing 30 years on. A powerful indictment of the state, neoliberalism and the police.
• What is happening in Ukraine? I knew very little about the situation in the Ukraine and its political context before this meeting, and after half an hour of Rob's talk I feel like I have at least a general idea and have scratched at the surface a bit. Here's the intro from the talk - the whole thing will be on the SWP Youtube channel soon (see the link in the 'Useful Sites' list to the right of this article).

• Drugs, Gangs and Racism the speaker, Dean, did an excellent job of analysing the roots of gangs in our society and their roots in class society. There were excellent contributions from many people who work with vulnerable young people and even a surprise political rehabilitation of Ross Kemp!
• Challenges for the left in Britain Today. Charlie Kimber gave an excellent analysis of the situation after the 10th July strikes and outlined a series of priorities for revolutionaries going forward, from standing up to UKIP, pushing for further strike action, encouraging confidence and militancy from activists prepared to fight and the need to be outward facing and working wherever possible with groups where we can establish common ground, from the Freedom Riders to the People's Assembly.

What were your impressions of Marxism this year? Were you able to stay all the way through? Comments below the line please!

Weekly Update #35

Hello everyone,
Welcome to your weekly update from Derby Socialist Workers Party!


Branch Meetings

There will be no branch meeting next week due to the Marxism 2014 Festival.

Our next branch meeting on the 17th July will be the rescheduled Art and Protest meeting which unfortunately had to be postponed due to circumstances beyond our control

The following week, on Thursday 24th July we will be discussing the role of trades unions for revolutionaries, with Can Trades Unions Change Society?

Both meetings start at 7 pm at the West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby.

10th July - Build the Fightback!

Next week will see the biggest strikes since November 30th. Workers will be sending a powerful message to the Con-Dems, and the more visible we are on the day the harder we are to ignore, by the public, the media and the government.

Unison, GMB, the PCS and NUT, Unite and the FBU are all now committed to joint action on the day.

To make the strike as effective as possible we need to be visible, and doing everything we can to make sure the public understand why we are taking action and the threats we all face to our services! Push for members in your workplace to demonstrate on the day!

There will be a Rally for Public Services organised by Unison, NUT, Unite and GMB in the Market Place on Thursday at 11.00. There will be speakers, stalls activities and live music. Be there!

Marxism 2014

One Week To Go!

Marxism is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. Thousands of socialists from the UK and around the world will be attending a range of meetings and events covering all aspects of left politics.

Get your tickets here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/booking.htm

Timetable available here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/timetable

Branch Secretary's pick of the week

My pick from the timetable this week is another newly announced meeting - hot off the press!

Ghada Karmi, a leading Palestinian activist, academic and writer will speak on “The Future for Palestine”

Thursday 10^th July at 4.45pm

Check out her books at

http://www.bookmarksbookshop.co.uk/stockItem/searchIndex?q=ghada+karmi 

UPDATE: Thanks to the reader who pointed out that the rally will in fact be on Thursday, not Wednesday as originally written. That's THURSDAY THE 10TH JULY, comrades!

Weekly Update #34

Hello everyone,
Welcome to your totes efficient weekly update. This is your socialist political week in Derby!

Branch Meeting

This week our meeting is on the relationship between art and protest, with our meeting Art and Protest.

Our speaker is an expert on art and will give a presentation covering protest in art from the death of Marat to today. So if you like art, protest and lively debate, why not come down?

Thursday July 3rd 7 pm, West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road.

Marxism 2014

Two weeks to go!

 

Marxism is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. Thousands of socialists from the UK and around the world will be attending a range of meetings and events covering all aspects of left politics.

Get your tickets here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/booking.htm

Timetable available here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/timetable

Branch Secretary's pick of the week

My pick from the timetable this week is newly announced this week!

Sami Ramadani will join Judith Orr to speak on

“Crisis in Iraq: the bitter fruits of Bush and Blair’s war”.

Sami Ramadani is an Iraqi-born lecturer in sociology and writes on Iraq and Middle East current affairs. He was a political exile from Saddam's regime but campaigned against US-led sanctions and the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Judith Orr is the editor of Socialist Worker.

This meeting will take place at Marxism on Sat 12^th July at 2pm.

10th July: Build the Fightback

On 10th July there could be up to 1.5 million workers on strike - the biggest since the November 30th public sector strike in 2011.

Unison, GMB, the PCS and NUT are committed to joint action on the day. Unite will almost certainly be out too.

To make the strike as effective as possible we need to be visible, and doing everything we can to make sure the public understand why we are taking action and the threats we all face to our services! Push for your union to demonstrate on the day!

Unison and the NUT will be holding a demonstration in the Market Place on Wednesday at 11.00. Be there!

Weekly Update #32

Hi everyone, this week's SWP update is a little later than usual, apologies.

Branch Meeting

This subject of this week's branch meeting is the radical political movements that arose during the English Civil War - the Diggers and the Levellers: Britain's radical tradition.

Come down for a lively discussion and to get involved in the fightback!

This Thursday, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.

Marxism 2014

This year's Marxism festival is fast approaching - have you got your tickets yet?

Marxism is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. Thousands of socialists from the UK and around the world will be attending a range of meetings and events covering all aspects of left politics.

Branch Secretary's pick of the week
My pick from the timetable this week is How can trades unions resist the Tories, which Liz Lawrence, Ronnie Draper and others  will be giving in the Elivn Hall, Saturday 2.00-3.15 pm. With the prospect of mass strikes from several of the country's largest unions the week before the meeting this should be pretty lively!


People's Assembly National Demonstration

On June 21st there will be a large national demonstration called by the People's Assembly, a broad anti-austerity organisation which the SWP wholeheartedly supports.

Obviously we need this to be as large and as loud as possible, so if you can go, do!

The first coach is now mostly full but a second coach is being organised. Contact Moz for more details.

There will be coaches from Derby for the demonstration going at 9 am from Full Street. To get tickets contact Moz Greenshields at mozgreenshields@tiscali.co.uk or 07889274723 via People's Assembly, or if you are a member of Unite, David Condliffe David.Condliffe@unitetheunion.org or 07791 113 806.

Defend the Right to Resist / Hands Off Our Unions!

There will be a public meeting on 25th June about the attacks workers are facing as they organise to fight back against austerity.

The event is co-hosted by People's Assembly and the Derby Area Trades Union Council (DATUC), and speakers will include the Secretary of DATUC, Moz Greenshields, and Assistant General Secretary of Unite, Steve Turner.

Obviously we want this meeting to be as big a success as possible, so if you can attend do, and let people know about it (see attached flyer)!

Weekly Update #31

Hi everyone,
Welcome to your brief guide to the political week from the Derby branch of the Socialist Workers' Party!

Branch Meeting

This subject of this week's branch meeting is the state of the EU and its increasing polarisation between left and right - Can the EU survive?

Come down for a lively discussion and to get involved in a range of activities!

This Thursday, 7 pm, West End Community Centre

Marxism 2014

This year's Marxism festival is fast approaching - have you got your tickets yet?

Marxism is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. Thousands of socialists from the UK and around the world will be attending a range of meetings and events covering all aspects of left politics.

Book tickets here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/booking.htm

Download timetable here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/timetable

Branch Secretary's pick of the week
My pick from the timetable this week is Immigration: The Myths They Use to Divide Us, which Sarah Creagh will be giving in the Clarke Room, Friday 3.45-5 pm. After the last elections showed the cumulative effects of immigrant-bashing by the press and elements of the ruling class, this meeting should be lively!

If you've never been to Marxism before, here's last year's opening session and rally:

People's Assembly National Demonstration

On June 21st there will be a large national demonstration called by the People's Assembly, a broad anti-austerity organisation which the SWP wholeheartedly supports.

Obviously we need this to be as large and as loud as possible, so if you can go, do!

There will be coaches from Derby for the demonstration going at 9 am from Full Street. To get tickets contact Moz Greenshields at mozgreenshields@tiscali.co.uk or 07889274723 via People's Assembly, or if you are a member of Unite, David Condliffe David.Condliffe@unitetheunion.org or 07791 113 806.

Defend the Right to Resist / Hands Off Our Unions!

There will be a public meeting on 25th June about the attacks workers are facing as they organise to fight back against austerity.

The event is co-hosted by People's Assembly and the Derby Area Trades Union Council (DATUC), and speakers will include the Secretary of DATUC, Moz Greenshields, and Assistant General Secretary of Unite, Steve Turner.

Obviously we want this meeting to be as big a success as possible, so if you can attend do, and let people know about it (see attached flyer)!

Weekly Update #28

Hi everyone, Here's your brief guide to the political week in Derby!
Fraternally,

Derby SWP

Branch Meeting

After last week's large and enthusiastic anti-racist response to Nigel Farage's (late) appearance in Derby we ask:

The threat of UKIP - how can we stop the racists? Thursday 8th May
7 pm West End Community Centre

Mackworth Road
Derby

Public Meeting

There are only two weeks left until our public meeting on

Socialism and the fight for women's liberation

Thursday 15th May

7 pm

West End Community Centre

Mackworth Road
Derby

We are trying to make this as large as possible - please attend if you can and make sure anyone who may be interested is aware!

Marxism 2014

Marxism is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. From 10-14th July in central London there will be more than 160 meetings and events going on. It's a great place to discuss and learn about all areas of politics and Marxist thought and activity.

Timetable now out! (click here)

It was a bit too big to include as an attachment in this email, but it is now up on the website here.

You don't need to be a member of the party to come, but if you're interested in any of the topics, why not come down and see for yourself? It is a unique and amazing event, as any of our comrades who have been can attest! Here's one of last year's talks, to whet your appetites:

Why not join us and thousands of others there? Book your tickets here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/booking.htm

Weekly Update #26

Hello everyone!

Apologies for the lateness of this week's update, I simply haven't been near a computer for several days I'm afraid! However, here's your guide for the very near future!

Branch Meetings

A reminder that this week (i.e. tomorrow!) we have a guest speaker coming to address the branch on the topic of Marxism, Ecology and Fracking. This will be:

 

Thursday 24th April 7 pm, West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby (near Britannia Mill).

Our meeting on 1st May may be affected by the UKIP visit - see below.

Public Meeting

We are building for a larger public meeting on Thursday 15th May - our previously delayed Socialism and the Fight for Women's Liberation.

We want this meeting to be as successful (and large!) as possible. Please publicise this meeting as widely as possible!

Silk Mill march and rally

The 1834 Silk Mill lockout was a milestone in industrial history, and every year the trades union movement and the left remember the sacrifices made by workers during this landmark dispute. We'll be out on Saturday 26th April - join the march too!

UKIP - 'Nigel on Tour'

 

 Many thanks to the comrade who alerted us about the imminent arrival in Derby of Nigel Farage, leader of the racist and elitist UKIP.

On 1st May they are holding an untitled 'public meeting' in Derby. The SWP will be part of whatever protest can be organised, hopefully by UAF as part of the 'Stand Up to UKIP' campaign - more details here. We have been in contact with the People's Assembly as well and I am sure that they will also be part of any protest.

We will update you as soon as we can with more details!

Marxism 2014

 

 

Marxism is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. From 10-14th July in central London there will be more than 160 meetings and events going on. It's a great place to discuss and learn about all areas of politics and Marxist thought and activity.

New - Timetable now out!

The timetable is now up on the website here! You don't need to be a member of the party to come, but if you're interested in any of the topics, why not come down and see for yourself? It is a unique and amazing event, as any of our comrades who have been can attest!

Why not join us there? Find out more and book tickets here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/index.htm