There are five days left of the public consultation into Manchester’s monuments, statues and other public realm adornments. Katy Preen takes a look at what makes a monument and what matters in our public spaces and reports on the Manchester Histories public event to discuss the issues.
Breathing life back into Tom Paine’s bones – graphic novel aims to resurrect neglected political reformer
Thomas Paine was a radical human rights and political reform advocate whose work inspired the American Revolution and the formation of a democratic United States.
Artist Paul Fitzgerald is determined to re-tell the story of this forgotten hero whose work still has valid lessons to be learned in these stormy times for democracies worldwide. Kickstarter campaign aims to get this graphic novel project over the finish line. Paul answers The Meteor’s questions on why he wants to graphically re-tell Tom’s story to a new audience.
Bolton recruit: the story of anti-racist activist Ramila Patel
The story of Ramila Patel, Bolton raised trade union and anti-racist activist who was recruited to work undercover for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa in the 1980s.
No luxury offices on former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, locals tell Manchester city council
90% of locals in survey thought the area did not need any more luxury offices, as campaign group Trees Not Cars brand Manchester city council’s public consultation on future of site of former Central Retail Park “tick box activity”
We Are Many: interview with director Amir Amirani
Amir Amirani’s stirring documentary We Are Many (2014) concerns the events of 15 February 2003, the day the world took to the streets to march against the invasion of Iraq.
Lessons from Leigh
Ben Beach argues that in order to revive itself in places such as his hometown of Leigh, the left needs to engage with the grassroots organisations that are currently doing vital community work and re-cement itself as a force for practical, everyday change.