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From The Socialist newspaper, 19 June 2019
North Shields: second march and rally to #SaveOurBridge
Save our bridge, photo by Elaine Brunskill (Click to enlarge)
William Jarrett, North Tyneside Socialist Party
On the afternoon of 15 June, around 25 people again marched through North Shields town centre to save a much-loved and important pedestrian bridge.
It was greeted with the same wide support which has underpinned the campaign, with the active participation of our local Socialist Party from the start.
Sadly the official campaign didn't publicise the march, on the basis its leaders felt it may not be well attended. This perplexed us as the first such event attracted 70 people.
We have explained that in order for the campaign to succeed it must be bold and political in nature, calling into question the Labour council's austerity rampage.
Unfortunately, Labour Party members in official positions on the Tyne and Wear Public Transport Users Group have tried to rely instead on personal relationships with senior council figures.
Demands
Following the rally at the bridge a resident approached our members, purchased a copy of the Socialist, and asked to place a placard in his window.
He said his kids love the bridge and that he sees people using it at all hours of the day.
Our demands are resonating with those who want infrastructure and services to remain intact and improve - as North Shields enjoys a surge in popularity among developers and speculators who appear to be closely associated with council figures.
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Finance appeal
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.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- 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.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 19 June 2019:
What we think
While the Tories elect a new leader - prepare action to remove the lot of them
News
Welsh government must block NHS privatisation or face workers' action
Council cuts continue while reserves rise
Cancer stats reveal deep inequality
Climate change
Stop climate change - fight for socialist change
What way forward to tackle climate change?
Workplace news
Trade union action can end low pay
Schools unions must turn anger into a fight against funding catastrophe
Unite must be at the head of fighting for a general election and against council cuts
South Western Railway staff strike for safety
Ford Bridgend workers vote to fight to save threatened plant
Bluestar bus drivers' strike over pay
East London bin workers call 12-day strike over wage grades
Swansea Parcelforce workers picket depot in support of victimised rep
Harrogate academy workers strike against closure
International socialist news and analysis
Chinese regime's puppet government in Hong Kong pushed back by mass protests
Sudan: The revolution under threat
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Angry Barking residents' meeting demands answers and action following fire
Orgreave injustice - 35th anniversary march and rally
Oppose big business's sphere of influence!
Young Socialists - re-establishing Rhondda's fighting traditions
North Shields: second march and rally to #SaveOurBridge
Newton Abbot says no to Tory privatisation of the NHS!
Worcester: Building on our successful library campaign
Opinion
Defend free TV licences for over-75s!
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