On 26 June 2021 at 12:00, Reading Trades Union Council and Reading Socialist Club representatives joined comrades from around the country for the People's Assembly's National Demonstration, 'After COVID: Demand a New Normal'. The themes predominating among the marchers were: No cuts. No privatisation. No racist scapegoating. No evictions.
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| John Partington (TSSA, 2nd left), John Gillman (Unite, 3rd left) and Kathy McCubbing (RSC. right) |
While trade unions, trades councils and political parties (Socialist, Communist, Labour, Social Workers' and Green parties) were present, the overwhelming visual impact during the march was of campaign groups (Palestine Solidarity, Black Lives Matter, DPAC, Drive to Survive, National Union of Students, Extinction Rebellion, pro-NHS groups) with their placards and banners, presenting an intersectional front of all generations.
Speakers represented a similar diversity, though with a greater proportion of trade unionists (Steve Turner and Howard Beckett of Unite, Alex Kenny of NEU) and Labour politicians (Zarah Sultana, Barry Gardner, Richard Burgon) - plus Jeremy Corbyn MP representing the Peace and Justice Project.
John Gillman (Unite) and John Partington (TSSA) attended on behalf of RTUC, with Phil Ashford and Kathy McCubbing represented RSC. After a year of lockdown, the People's Assembly showed once again that it can mobile the labour movement and community groups to stand up to the Government's illiberal bent, shouting down the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, calling for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, demanding a 15% payrise for nurses and proposing support, not punishment, for the victims of the COVID19 pandemic in the labour market.
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| Phil Ashford (RSC), John Partington (TSSA) and Kathy McCubbing (RSC) |
It promises to be a summer of protest this year and, post-lockdown, we must unleash pent-up energy to challenge Government austerity measures and attacks on civil rights at every opportunity.
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| Howard Beckett (Unite) |
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| Alex Kenny (National Education Union) |
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| Larissa Kennedy (National Union of Students) |
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| Steve Turner (Unite) |
