Update #84

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

In this week's update:

• This week's branch meeting - why is Big Pharma bad for your health?
• Save the NHS: support the Junior Doctors
• Support Derby Stand Up To Racism
• Marxism Festival 2016 - first peek
• Heart Unions Week

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.

We hope that we will be able to post the text of last week's talk about anti-Semitism today. It led to a wide-ranging discussion looking at all aspects of the way in which racism is constructed by capitalist societies and the dominant forms of racism today.

This week our meeting will address why Big Pharma is bad for your health. How does the healthcare industry let us down under capitalism? Why doesn't it act in our best interests? Thursday 11th February, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

Join us for a lively discussion and debate, as well as planning for activities in the city for the week ahead!

All welcome. See you there!

Solidarity with Junior Doctors
The Junior Doctors are taking their dispute forward again this week, in the face of disgusting behaviour from the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who has gone on a propaganda offensive that tries to smear health workers desperate to save the NHS whilst at the same time ordering the firing of thousands of NHS workers.

Junior Doctors are engaging in a 24 hour stoppage on Tuesday. There will be pickets outside hospitals from 7.30 am. Drop by and show your support!

The Doctors have the support of the public, the Tories don't. Together we can win, and in doing so we can strike a real blow against the Tory plans to destroy the NHS and our other public services.


Stand Up To Racism rally

Derby's Stand Up To Racism group met for a planning meeting last week and are organising a rally for the 3rd March. If you would like more details or to get involved in the group email derbysutr@gmail.com

Several comrades attended the packed UAF conference on Saturday 6th Feb - we hope to bring you a brief report on this too.



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/


Heart Unions Week
The TUC has organised a week of campaigning against the Trades Union Bill. The Derby Trades Council is leafleting at the Ram in the city centre on Friday 12th February from 12 pm until 2 pm. Show your support for the trades unions that defend our class.

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!

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

Weekly Update #23

Hello everyone,

Your  new brief guide to the week is below!

 

SWP Branch Meetings

This week there is no branch meeting, as the time and location will be used instead to host a Unite Against Fascism meeting - see below for details.

The following week, we will be discussing socialism and the fight for women's liberation Thursday 10th April 7 pm West End Community Centre, Derby 

Unite Against Fascism Public Meeting

There will be a Unite Against Fascism public meeting entitled Cuts, crisis and unemployment: why immigrants are not to blame. This will be at 7 pm in the West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby.

Industrial Action

There is industrial action happening in several places at the moment, any messages of support and/or picket visits for which will be appreciated.

NAPO

On Monday, NAPO (National Association of Probation Officers) workers will be walking out as part of their dispute over the privatisation of the probation service at 12 noon. There will also be pickets from 8-10 on Tuesday. Send messages of support to info@napo.org.uk and if you can turn up in person to support them, your nearest offices can be found here .

Solicitors

Solicitors will also be walking out on Monday and striking on Monday and Tuesday - find out more here.

Bombardier

Bombardier workers in Burton upon Trent have been taking 14 days of strike action since 26th March, after management attempted to force workers to accept night shifts. Send messages of support to mick.stevens@unite.org and visit the picket line at Central Rivers Depot, Barton-under-Needwood, DE13 8ES

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. At the moment there is a £5 discount for early bookings, but this will only last for a few more days - go here for more information and to book your ticket!

Weekly Update #22

Hello everyone,

Your  new brief guide to the week is below!

SWP Branch Meetings

This week we have a guest speaker who will be giving a talk on 

Benefits St - why do Tories demonise the poor?

Thursday 27th March 7 pm West End Community Centre, Derby*

Next week, we will not have a meeting, as there will be a Unite Against Fascism public meeting instead (see below for details)

NUT strike action

 

The NUT is set to take strike action on 26th March against ongoing attacks on teachers' pay and conditions and the disastrous policies that Michael Gove is inflicting on education.

There will be a march and rally on the day. The march will leave from Bemrose School on Uttoxeter New Road at 9.15 and will head to the Market Place. At 9.45 there will be leafleting to explain to the public the reasons behind the action and a short rally at 10. Pass this along - the bigger the better!

 

Send messages of support and solidarity here, or email cityofderbynut@gmail.com

Unite Against Fascism Public Meeting

Following from yesterday's fantastic Stand Up to Racism and Fascism demonstration in London, there will be a Unite Against Fascism public meeting entitled Cuts, crisis and unemployment: why immigrants are not to blame. This will be at 7 pm in the West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby

Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism National Demonstration

Yesterday more than 30 anti-racists took a coach down to London to join the Stand up to Racism and Fascism protests called by Unite Against Fascism and the TUC to mark the UN's Anti-Racism Day. At a time when so much of the ruling class's rhetoric is centred around trying to divide working class people one from another by divisive racial, ethnic and religious haranguing it was great to see thousands of people come together in such a loud, visible and lively spirit of solidarity! Pictures from the event are up now on the blog - see this post here.

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. At the moment there is a £5 discount for early bookings, but this will only last for a few more days - go here for more information and to book your ticket!

* Apologies for the incorrect meeting being listed in last week's update, this is simply my inability to read a list - d'oh!

Stand Up to Racism and Fascism - March 22nd

In recent years we have seen the far right, in particular fascist groups such as the BNP and the EDL, attempt to present themselves as acceptable political parties.

We have also seen racism become increasingly acceptable in both the media and mainstream parties, with constant presentation of immigrants as a threat, fear-mongering about Roma people and of course Islamophobia.

Yesterday in London thousands of people joined together to oppose racism and fascism as part of a day of action called by Unite Against Fascism and the TUC.

Comrades from Derby were out and about, and played an important role in organising the coach that took a big group of us down to London - as you can see, it was a great celebration of those of us who refuse to let the ruling class tell us that our fellow human beings are to be mistrusted and feared!

Weekly Update #21

Hello everyone,

Your  new brief guide to the week is below!

Fraternally,

Derby Socialist Workers' Party

SWP Branch Meetings

This week we have the rescheduled and revamped James Conolly: The Easter Rising and the struggle against imperialism, which seems appropriate following St Patrick's Day!

Thursday 20th March 7 pm West End Community Centre, Derby (see attached map for directions)

Next week, we will be going cultural, with a Shakespearean The Tempest and the New World Thursday 27th March, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.

Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism National Demonstration

On Saturday 22nd March there will be a national demonstration in London against the fascism of groups like the BNP and EDL and the racism of parties like UKIP to mark the UN's Anti-Racism Day. This is an event that all socialists should support, as the ruling class, the racists and the fascists once again try to divide working people from each other.

Unite Against Fascism have organised a coach for the day. Places are free but limited!

To book a space on the coach, call 07929 043 415

NUT strike action

The NUT is set to take strike action on 26th March against ongoing attacks on teachers' pay and conditions and the disastrous policies that Michael Gove is inflicting on education.

Send messages of support and solidarity here.

Education Question Time
The NUT in Derby is also organising a Question Time event, modelled on the BBC show's format for 18th March. It is an open event and will have people from all parts of the political spectrum there - so it is important for socialists to intervene, make contributions and ask the tough questions.

Some details are now available on the NUT blog, including how to get tickets and submit questions for the panel. Click here to go to the blog.

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. At the moment there is a £5 discount for early bookings - go here for more information and to book your ticket!

Weekly Update #20

Hello everyone, Welcome to your brief guide to the week in Derby!

SWP Branch Meetings

This week we have what do we mean by revolution?

which is a pretty crucial question for a revolutionary party, I'm sure you will agree!

Thursday 13rd March 7 pm West End Community Centre, Derby

 

Next week, we have a variation on the talk that we was scheduled for this Thursday: James Conolly: the Easter Rising and the struggle against imperialism. Thursday 20th March, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.

NUT strike action

The NUT is set to take strike action on 26th March against ongoing attacks on teachers' pay and conditions and the disastrous policies that Michael Gove is inflicting on education.

Send messages of support and solidarity here.

The NUT in Derby is also organising a Question Time event, modelled on the BBC show's format for 18th March (not 17th as we said last week - apologies). It is an open event and will have people from all parts of the political spectrum there - so it is important for socialists to intervene, make contributions and ask the tough questions.

Some details are now available on the NUT blog, including how to get tickets and submit questions for the panel. Click here to go to the blog.

Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism National Demonstration

On Saturday 22nd March there will be a national demonstration in London against the fascism of groups like the BNP and EDL and the racism of parties like UKIP to mark the UN's Anti-Racism Day. This is an event that all socialists should support, as the ruling class, the racists and the fascists once again try to divide working people from each other.

Unite Against Fascism have organised a coach for the day. Places are free but limited!

To book a space on the coach, call 07929 043 415

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. At the moment there is a £5 discount for early bookings - go here for more information and to book your ticket!

Weekly Update #18

Hello everyone :) This week's brief update is:

SWP Branch Meetings

A reminder that our guest speaker for this week's meeting tomorrow will be introducing a no doubt lively discussion with Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013. Anti-Apartheid Hero: The Struggle Continues.

Thursday 20th February 7 pm West End Community Centre, Derby

Next week, we have An Introduction to Marxist Economics, which should be a refreshing change from what we're fed by the Beeb!

Thursday 27th February, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.

Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism National Demonstration

A reminder that on Saturday 22nd March there will be a national demonstration in London against the fascism of groups like the BNP and EDL and the racism of parties like UKIP to mark the UN's Anti-Racism Day. Unite Against Fascism supporters want to get a coachload of anti-racists from Derby - further details as we have them.

This is an event that all socialists should support, as the ruling class, the racists and the fascists once again try to divide working people from each other.

Weekly Update #17

Hello everyone, welcome to your latest update from Derby SWP!

 

Branch Meetings

 

This week's meeting is the slightly postponed The People Betrayed: the Romans and Populism. We will discuss the Gracchi brothers and how populism can not be in the interests of working people.

 

Thursday 13th February, 7 pm, West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby. All welcome!

 

 

The following week, our meeting will be Nelson Mandela: Anti-apartheid hero - the struggle continues, with a guest speaker. Thursday 20th February, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.

 

Come along for a lively discussion and debate!

 

National Anti-Racism Demonstration

With racist UKIP and fascist BNP and EDL all hoping to have successes this year, electorally in the case of UKIP and the BNP and on the streets with the EDL bootboys, it is more important than ever for anti-racists to make their voices heard. Join the demonstration in London on the UN's International Anti-Racism Day, March 22nd. More details at the UAF website here.

 

UCU strike action

UCU will be out on strike again over continuing attacks on further and higher education, on Monday morning from 9-11. Pickets are expected at the Kedleston Road university site - pop along to show your support!

 

NUT strike action

The NUT will be taking strike action over continuing attacks on primary and secondary education on March 26th. There are sure to be activities to support striking teachers in Derby - further details as we get them.

Weekly Update #16

Welcome to your weekly update from the Derby Socialist Workers' Party!

Branch Meetings

This week's branch meeting will be on the execution of Charles I: revolution or coup? a timely topic as the 10th January was the 365th anniversary of the execution! Come along for a lively discussion on this and upcoming events and struggles we will need to be involved in!
Thursday 23rd January, 7 pm, West End Community Centre (map below).The following week (30th January) there will be no branch meeting as there will be a Unite Against Fascism planning meeting instead (see below for more details).
The next branch meeting will examine whether the roots of populist politics lie in the Roman world, with the people betrayed: a history of populism. Thursday 6th February, 7 pm West End Community Centre.

The People's Assembly - campaign against council cuts

The People's Assembly, of which the SWP is a supporter, is continuing to campaign around the outrageous cuts that continue to be demanded by the Tories and their Lib-Dem allies in Westminster. This year the Labour council is required to cut £81m from vital council services.

The People's Assembly has been campaigning to get as broad support as possible for the Labour  group to refuse to implement these cuts. There is a petition to sign and a protest is being organised for the night of the budget-setting.

Show your support for dropping the cuts - come to the Council House, 5 pm, Wednesday 29th January.

Unite Against Fascism

The last year has been a challenging one for anti-racists, but we can claim some significant victories against an attempted EDL revival, and recent news of Nick Griffin's bankruptcy has been very cheering. However, the fascists are down but not out, and the racist rhetoric of UKIP is being vociferously repeated by the mainstream parties and much of the press.

If you want to be part of the fightback, join us and our partners in the UAF organisation on Thursday 30th January, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre.

March against racism and fascism

On March 22nd, the UN's Anti-Racism day, anti-racist groups and trades unions are organising a national demonstration against the racist attitudes being pumped out by the far-right and elements of the media and major political parties. Keep March 22nd clear in your diaries!

Derby UAF meeting now scheduled

The UAF relaunch meeting has now been scheduled. Hope to see as many comrades and fellow anti-fascists as possible at the meeting next Monday.

5.30 pm - 7pm Molineux Room, St James Centre, Normanton.

Anyone not familiar with the work of UAF, which is a broad anti-fascist coalition, please see their website at http://uaf.org.uk/