As is traditional in Reading, International Women's Day was marked in Town Hall Square under the able stewardship of Nada al-Sanjari, Vice President of Reading Trades Union Council. Nada's speech, honouring local campaigner for LGBT+ rights and the rights of refugees, Alice Driver, who was too ill to be present, is here:
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/542800682876075/.
The headline theme covered the impact of austerity on women in Britain and the importance of solidarity with women's struggles abroad; the richness of the event was in the variety of speakers and topics covered.
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/542800682876075/.
The headline theme covered the impact of austerity on women in Britain and the importance of solidarity with women's struggles abroad; the richness of the event was in the variety of speakers and topics covered.
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| Nada Al-Sanjari (RTUC Vice-Chair) introduces the event |
Kathy McCubbing from Palestine Solidarity spoke eloquently for 10 minutes on the struggle of Palestine in the Great March of Return which commenced on 30 March 2018 - protests at the fence which divides Palestinians from the Occupied Territories. Kathy cited examples of personnel sacrifice and remembered a number of victims, fatally wounded by Israeli troops, taking part in the protests. Watch Kathy's talk here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=366406354209167.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=366406354209167.
Cllr Sarah Hacker (Labour Party & Unite) related her own experiences as a woman in the labour movement, firstly joining a trade union, then becoming a representative - then broadening her approach by successfully running for Reading Borough Council. Her story can be heard here:
Merry Cross (Disabled People Against Cuts) spoke with passion about the plight of disabled women in society - living with impairment but disabled by society. She talked about the need to make sacrifices in the face of incessant attacks against rights and benefits. Movingly, she asked 'I am disabled - am I not a woman?' to which the assembled bellowed 'Yes!' Catch the full oration here:
Naheed Mehdi spoke about the community of migrant women, supporting each other in the difficult times of integration into new societies. She spoke of the abuses suffered by women in Pakistan who are seeking equality - but also about the support generated by the solidarity groups in the country and abroad. The speech can be heard in full here:
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/2226207234266602/.
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/2226207234266602/.
Sara Davies of Reclaim Reading and a SEND school governor spoke about the affects of Conservative Government austerity on local people - teachers having to buy school materials out of their own pockets, mothers who cannot afford homes large enough for bedrooms for their kids so the parents sleep on the sofa, families who cannot afford even local holidays. Her speech can be found in full here:
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/1019445091600003/.
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/1019445091600003/.
Marcia Alves, a Brazilian activist presented the conditions for women in Jair Bolsanaro's far right regime following his election in Brazil in January. The short speech can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/2374780842534425/
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/2374780842534425/
The event was closed with musical entertainment from Nicole Monique Johnson (https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/534949876995153/ and https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/405887326857408/), Rona Topaz (DPAC) and traditional Palestinian dancing (https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/videos/1912094545583646/).
Following the event, many of those present adjourned to the Reading International Solidarity Centre for their 'Celebration of Palestinian Women' event.
Following the event, many of those present adjourned to the Reading International Solidarity Centre for their 'Celebration of Palestinian Women' event.
