By Manchester Momentum and Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal: Extinction Rebellion gave a powerful demonstration of peaceful civil resistance last weekend. By occupying Deansgate they stood in the best of Manchester’s traditions of protest. Manchester Momentum and Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal are proud to stand in solidarity with these campaigners […]
Fighting talk from Labour rally this week
On Monday 2 September, the Labour Party held a rally at the Lowry in Salford. I’d only received notification of it the night before, but even at such short notice it was an opportunity not to be missed. A snap general election is likely, and Labour is getting their message out while the current government […]
Extinction Rebellion Northern Uprising: calls out banks, fast fashion and the council
Extinction Rebellion are creating a new paradigm for environmental protest. Their four day Northern Uprising across Manchester city centre last weekend raised awareness of the climate crisis we are in and the urgent need to act now. This uprising paves the way for the International Rebellion which starts on the 7 October. Extinction Rebellion’s Northern […]
Disabled people speak out about poor accessibility at Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride, a life affirming celebration of sexual and gender diversity for many, faces claims that it is failing in its stated aims of promoting “equality and diversity” due to poor accessibility for disabled people. Three people with disabilities tell of their disappointing and potentially dangerous experiences. A growing number of disabled people are voicing […]
As prorogation battles commence, the Peterloo exhibition in Manchester becomes ever more relevant
The Peterloo bicentenary weekend commemorations may be over, but if you missed them and want to know more about Peterloo, and its relevance to today, then Disrupt, Peterloo and Protest at the People’s History Museum is for you. With the current plans for prorogation of parliament, causing a crisis in our democracy, the exhibitions theme […]
Access to Pride should not be denied to disabled people
Pride in Manchester is becoming a bigger event with each passing year, reflecting the city’s reputation as a diverse and LGBT+ friendly place. But this year’s Pride celebrations were not inclusive for everyone, as some disabled attendees discovered during the weekend’s events. Concerns about event pricing, over-ticketing and poor organisation were raised by many people, […]
Lemn Sissay on his new memoir ‘My Name Is Why’
Lemn Sissay, award-winning and internationally acclaimed poet, was stolen from his birth mother and given to a foster family. He was thrown out by his foster parents at the age of 12 and sent to several children’s homes. He has written a memoir to tell his story of loss and healing, and he spoke to […]
Mike Leigh hopes small independent media can ‘grow and be heard’ to counter failings in modern media landscape
To round up a host of events to commemorate the bicentenary of Peterloo over the weekend, acclaimed film director Mike Leigh attended a screening of his film Peterloo, at HOME Manchester, and answered the audiences questions on it’s relevance for life in the UK today. Film director Mike Leigh invited us all to join him […]
March for Democracy, to honour the fallen at Peterloo and plan for future reforms
The March for Democracy, this Sunday 18 August, will pay tribute to those demanding democratic reform who were slaughtered by government forces 200 years ago at Peterloo. The rally will also look to the future, asking how we can reform democracy, to make it fit for the 21st century. It’s the bicentenary of the Peterloo […]
The Six Acts, inspired by Peterloo, aims to reboot democracy now
It’s two hundred years since Peterloo, where those calling for democratic reform were slaughtered by government forces. A new campaign called The Six Acts aims to honour those who fell, in the struggle for a more inclusive democracy, by rebooting democracy today. And they need your help to do it! On the 16 August 1819, […]