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ARCHIVE
US VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY T-SHIRT
Published by Salma Yacoob, Respect, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU . European Election material on behalf of Peter Cranie, by Brian Candeland, 13 Devonshire Road, Manchester M21 8ZB
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27/05/2009
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by Clive Searle, Respect national secretary
There is a political earthquake shaking Westminster politics. MPs of all the main parties have been found with the snouts in the trough – claiming fat expenses on everything from sink plugs to duck islands, ‘flipping' second homes and renovating flats at the taxpayers' expense. Some of the figures involved are eye watering. The revelations in the Telegraph have thrown the political establishment onto the back foot – creating a wave of righteous anger at the sheer naked greed of our supposed representatives.
No wonder the demand for a General Election is growing daily with over two-thirds wanting an election by the end of the year. David Cameron has thrown his weight behind the call despite his Tory MPs being up to their necks in the same old sleaze that brought down John Major's government. Cameron's only saving grace is that Gordon Brown has had an even worse few weeks, as Cabinet Minister after Cabinet Minister has been exposed with fingers in the expenses till. And while many expect this kind of behaviour from Tory grandees they rightly remember that New Labour came to power on a promise to clean up Westminster politics. We didn't expect them to 'clean up' on their expenses!
25/05/2009
"Your Firefighters Need You! "
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More Fire Cuts in Greater Manchester
Fire cover in Manchester is to be cut yet again from the 1July 2009 across the whole of Greater Manchester.
Fire Authority members have rubber stamped another cut in services which will seriously affect your local firefighters ability to respond to incidents endangering the public and themselves.
Firefighters are dedicated to the saving of lives and property in your community but they need your help to try and stop these cuts in July.
All they are asking is to visit their website at www.saveourfireservice.co.uk and click on your area to find out how you will be directly affected.
20/05/2009
Speaker Martin: a prize scalp for English snobs by George Galloway MP
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English snobbery can do a morris dance of delight at the political demise of the Speaker, Michael Martin. The bigots have put the taigs back in their place. Above all the MPs desperately seeking solace from the evisceration of the expenses scandal hope this will be enough to staunch the haemorrhage in public confidence.
For a certain class of Englishman every Catholic is a Mick and every working-class Scot is from the Gorbals. In fact, Michael Martin – it was always Michael! – has no connection to the Gorbals, but his elevation was a fillip to both: the first manual worker to sit in that ancient seat and the first Catholic since Cromwell to surmount the still considerable prejudice. Thanks to Speaker Martin my grandson Sean enjoyed the first Catholic baptism in the House of Commons Crypt since Cromwell turned it into a stable.
16/05/2009
George Galloway backs Peter Cranie in North West Euro battle
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Prominent Respect members have stepped up their support for Green Party lead candidate, Peter Cranie, in the run up to the Euro-elections in June. Respect have decided not to contest these election but to ask our supporters to vote for the Green Party as the best placed left party to beat the fascist BNP.
At a Viva Palestina meeting in Manchester Respect MP George Galloway joined Respect chair Key Philips for a photo-shoot with Peter Cranie. In an act of practical solidarity, unprecedented in recent electoral history, Respect is producing thousands of postcards calling for a vote for a political rival.
George Galloway, Respect Party MP explained,
“Faced with the threat of a BNP win in the North West, Respect are calling for real unity in action - this time at the ballot box. Our party has thrown its weight behind Peter Cranie and the Green Party list in these elections."
Referring to Peter's history of solidarity with the Palestinians and anti-fascist credentials, George added, "If you want to send an anti-racist, pro-Palestinian MEP to Brussels, then Peter Cranie’s your man. Please don’t stay at home on June 4th.”
15/05/2009
Salma Yaqoob says "Go Green at the Euro Elections"
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Prominent Birmingham Councillor and Leader of the RESPECT Party, Salma Yaqoob is calling for progressive West Midlands voters to go Green and vote for Felicity Norman at the European Elections on 4th June.
Salma Yaqoob, who is a Sparkbrook Councillor and Westminster Candidate for Birmingham Hall Green constituency is endorsing Felicity for her commitment to fight the BNP at the European election and for the Greens ' progressive policies on job creation in new industries.
READ MORE HERE and click left to watch Salma and Felicity on YouTube.
Read Salma and Felicity's unpublished letter sent to The Guardian
14/05/2009
SALMA YAQOOB CALLS FOR BIG TURNOUT ON BIRMINGHAM JOBS MARCH
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Respect Councillor and party leader Salma Yaqoob is backing the national march for jobs taking place in Birmingham this Saturday, 16 May. She is calling for a big turnout to send a strong message to the government that protecting jobs must come first.
Councillor Yaqoob said:
“ There is hardly a family in the country which has not been affected by the recession. With unemployment now over 2.2 million, every day brings new job losses, and people across Birmingham are worried for their future. Huge sums of money have been used to bail out the banks. We need to see the same commitment to keeping people in jobs, and investing in vital industries to see them through this crisis."
READ MORE HERE
09/05/2009
Those who are innocent must be released
The campaign to stop the criminalisation of Muslim communities
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The British government knows no humility. Of fifteen Pakistani men arrested on 8 April in a series of ‘anti-terror raids' in Liverpool and Greater Manchester, none were charged with any terror offences. Yet, instead of releasing innocent students, Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary, has arbitrarily revoked their visas and twelve are set to be deported.
They are being held in solitary confinement in prisons such as Strangeways in Manchester without being allowed to speak to their families or to know the ‘evidence' for claiming they are a ‘risk to national security'. Ten are appealing against the deportation at the High Court on Monday, 11 May.
In the last week, a broad based campaign has gathered to protest about these deportations and the whole climate of fear being generated. In Manchester, a launch meeting took place with 50 people at the Pakistani Community Centre in Longsight. The meeting was addressed over mobile phones by three families of the students who live in disparate parts of Pakistan. They expressed their complete support for the campaign and have been mobilizing their own campaign in Pakistan.
09/05/2009
Jail protest over terror raid 12
From the BBC website
Supporters of 12 men arrested in anti-terror raids in the North West last month have demonstrated outside the jail where they are being held.
At a meeting before the protest at Manchester Prison, campaigners called for an end to what they said was the criminalisation of Muslims. The 12 men were later released without charge - but the Home Office wants to deport 11 to Pakistan.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "There was a small protest involving 20 people on behalf of those arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences during Easter.
(Editors note: Despite the fact that there were no police officers present at the protest they have managed to half the numbers in attendance. There were, in fact, 45 people present.)
07/05/2009
Stop the Deportations of the Pakistani Students!
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In a blaze of hysterical publicity, armed police swooped on 12 Pakistani students in Manchester and Liverpool on April 8th. The Prime Minister boasted of a major terror plot being foiled. Inspite of no evidence of any terror plot being found, 11 of the 12 are still being held in custody, awaiting deportation. Instead of an apology, the police promised more such raids. We must unite to stop the deportation of the Pakistani students and break the wall of fear that is being built around Muslim communities.
Public Meetings - DOWNLOAD LEAFLET HERE
Saturday 9 May 2009, 2.00pm, Pakistani Community Centre, Stockport Road, Longsight.
Tuesday 12 May 2009, 7.30pm, Saffron Restaurant, Cheetham Hill Road, Cheetham Hill.
Speakers: family, representatives and campaigners. Supported by British Libyan Solidarity Campaign, The Respect Party, Manchester No Borders
07/05/2009
Manchester Respect will oppose ID card trials in the city
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At a public meeting in Cheetham Hill on 7th May, Manchester Respect members and many others pledged to oppose the trial introduction of ID cards in the city, announced that morning by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
Respect will work alongside others who share our fear of the implications of ID cards for civil liberties, which would lead to increased harrassment of ethnic minorities and especially the Muslim community. With the country in deep recession this scheme is a dangerous waste of public money and should be scrapped.
More details to follow.
04/05/2009 from The Independent
Respect candidate urges public to back rival at European electionsons
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An anti-racism campaigner has emerged as the candidate who could stop the British National Party chairman Nick Griffin winning a seat in the European Parliament next month.
Peter Cranie has been chosen by the Green Party to stand in the North-west, where the BNP's hopes of winning its first seats in a nationwide election are highest. Respect, the left-wing party headed by the Bethnal Green and Bow MP George Galloway, has stood aside in the region and is urging its supporters to vote Green to stop the BNP.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE