Socialism 2014 rally: press release

Socialist Party press release 24.10.14

Russell Brand supports people fighting back

Russell Brand speaks up for the E15 mums, the firefighters, etc - people who need a voice in a society dominated by the super-rich 1%. We're told there is 'no alternative' to austerity and the struggle to get by - but there is.

The 'Socialism 2014' rally on 8th November 2014 has speakers with incredible records of struggle and of winning victories for the 99%:

Kshama Sawant was elected as a socialist councillor in Seattle, USA, last November with almost 100,000 votes. She stood on a pledge of fighting for a $15/hr minimum wage and in April that minimum was won! That victory has helped to ignite interest in struggle and socialism across the USA.
Ruth Coppinger is a new Socialist Party MP in Dublin, a courageous fighter for women's rights, leading the fight to repeal Ireland's ban on abortion. Ruth gives workers a voice and leadership in struggle - presently in the mass non-payment campaign against the Irish government's brutal water tax.
Mark Serwotka has just been re-elected as general secretary of the PCS, a union at the forefront of fighting the government's austerity programme. The PCS, with its socialist leadership, has fought to arm the labour movement with an understanding that cuts are not necessary and can be fought.
Peter Taaffe is the general secretary of the host organisation of 'Socialism 2014' - the Socialist Party. The Socialist Party is involved in working class struggles throughout the country and helps to build the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) - that provides an anti-cuts alternative in elections. The party's forerunner, Militant, was in the leadership of the 1980s' battle of Liverpool council for more resources and played a key role in defeating Thatcher by leading 18 million non-payers of the poll tax in the 1990s.
Ian Hodson leads the bakers' union, BFAWU, which tenaciously fought and defeated zero-hour contracts at the Hovis factory in Wigan. The union launched the Fast Food Rights campaign, helping fast food workers to organise.
Brian Smith (speaking in a personal capacity) is a steadfast defender of workers' rights in Glasgow Unison, fighting cuts and low pay. He and Socialist Party Scotland played an important role in the Yes campaign in Scotland's Indyref, making the case for an independent socialist Scotland and for the working class to build its own political voice.

For information about the event: www.socialism2014.net

For interviews with Kshama Sawant and other participants contact:

Sarah Sachs Eldridge: [email protected] tel: 020 8988 8771
Judy Beishon: [email protected] tel: 020 8988 8770

END

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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

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When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

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