Black Lives Matter protesters, photo Socialist Party

Black Lives Matter protesters, photo Socialist Party   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

West London

The Socialist Party participated in a Black Lives Matter rally on Shepherd’s Bush Green on 8 August. We started off with an open mic, followed by an eight-minute kneel for George Floyd, then a march around the green, and finally speakers at the end.

Some speakers focused on awareness and recognition, calling for diversity training and teaching children about racism.

When the Socialist Party was allowed to speak, we raised the link between racism and capitalism.

We made it clear that racism will not be defeated just by raising awareness or getting sympathy from big business.

The only way to begin to defeat racism is for us to get organised in our workplaces through trade unions, and in our communities, and replace the racist capitalist system with socialism.

Brighton

Sussex Live quoted Socialist Party member Glenn Kelly at the 15 August protest: “This is the fourth Black Lives Matter demonstration I have attended in as many months, and still over 1,000 black and white mainly youth march together showing their determination to fight for justice and against racism.

“In light of the onslaught that is to come on education, jobs and the right to a home, a new generation is showing that it is willing to stand up and fight.

“It’s time for the trade unions to unite with the youth to defend the lives of all working-class people facing attack under a system that cares more about profit than it does about people.”