NUJ Branch Summer Party and Social

A date for your diary! This year's Branch Summer Party will be in the beer garden of the Hobgoblin, 31 York Place, Brighton BN1 4GU (next to Aldi) on Thursday 8 August, starting at 7pm. Get there early for some free beer. You will also able to order some food, mainly burgers, but be aware The Troll's Pantry closes at 8pm. Watch this space for more news!

Brighton People's Assembly Against Austerity meeting

The next Brighton People's Assembly Against Austerity meeting will be at the Brighthelm Centre on 27 July. There are four sub-groups forming, including one for media and comms. The next full public meeting is on 7 August at the King & Queen pub (tbc).

To keep informed check out the Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1391795211038990/

Over 4,000 join People’s Assembly Against Austerity

Photo by Natasha Steel

The NUJ Brighton & Sussex banner made an appearance at a national meeting of over 4,000 people in London - and found its way onto News at Ten. The People’s Assembly Against Austerity, which took place at Westminster Central Hall on 22 June, was the largest gathering of individuals, unions and organisations fighting and resisting the Government’s austerity programme since the financial crash over five years ago.

Delegates, some of whom were taking their first action against the cuts, were buzzing after rousing speeches including plenaries from Frances O’Grady, Owen Jones, Mark Steel, Francesca Martinez and Tony Benn. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said anti-union laws should not get in the way of strikes against austerity and Mark Serwotka, who leads the civil service PCS union, called for co-ordinated civil disobedience, protests and strikes.

Packed sessions exceeded the organisers’ expectations and a marquee and extra accommodation was found to accommodate everyone. Recognising the energy, potential and hopes of millions of people affected by austerity, the People’s Assembly called for concrete action to be undertaken across the country.

This includes:

• Local People’s Assemblies to be established in every area possible 
• A mass protest at the Tory Party conference in Manchester on 29 September 
• A day of civil disobedience nationally on 5 November 
• A national demonstration in London in the new year 

At a session to create and build on local People’s Assemblies, about 40 people from Brighton and Sussex shared contact details and agreed to further the aims of the movement. A Brighton People’s Assembly Against Austerity Facebook page has been set up and a meeting is taking place at the King & Queen pub on 11 July, 7.30pm.

The national People’s Assembly follows more than 10 regional meetings, including one that was held at the Brighthelm Centre in Brighton on 30 May.

To create an infrastructure that can support the local organisations and take forward the national initiatives that were launched at the assembly, the People’s Assembly has launched an urgent financial appeal to raise funds. This can be done on the website: http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/donate/

Natasha Steel