York People’s Assembly’s ‘We’ve Got No Trust Fund’ appeal this week brought in an incredible £550 in online donations in 48 hours. Unlike Cameron, we’ve never benefited from a trust fund squirrelled away in a tax haven. Many thanks to everyone who gave – we’ll be able to go on campaigning for months to come. The appeal page is still open for more donations, should others wish to contribute.
Amongst the crowd of thousands, York People’s Assembly were represented by a full coach – and a mobile sound system. Along with friends in Scarborough and Thirsk, we headed to London for the Health, Homes, Jobs and Education march. Estimates on total numbers vary wildly from 50 to 150 thousand. Whilst the rally took place in 18Trafalgar Square, hundreds of protesters made their way to Downing Street. Continue reading
The recent waves of strike action by Junior Doctors across England have seen large picket lines at York Hospital, with up to 100 strikers and supporters on a single day. Amongst the support shown, cavalcades of City Council vehicles and even a visit from a local fire engine. Local BMA members have held ‘meet the public’ events in town and volunteered to teach first aid and baby life-saving courses across the city.
We’ll be joining the pickets at York Hospital again on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th April from 8 to 11am. York People’s Assembly member Chris Brace explains: Continue reading
To make an impact, you have to stay. So under the slogan ‘Take Back Manchester’, the People’s Assembly contested the Tories’ right to have the city to themselves and make all the news. Continue reading
On a warm, sunny day in Manchester (yes, really!) 100 of us from York joined another 80,000 to protest the Government’s unfair Trade Union Bill. The Bill requires unrealistic levels of voter turnout and bans online voting. It also allows employers to use agency workers to break the strike. In other words, it’s an attack on industrial democracy that has to be countered. Continue reading
The last 24 hours has seen a 2nd visit to York by a PCS member taking part in what has become all-out strike action at London’s National Gallery. As well as strike fund collections, there were two media calls outside York Art Gallery and a public meeting to discuss austerity’s effects on arts. The meeting showed that there are strong similarities despite the differences in the two campaigns, and the risk of art becoming entirely sealed off for the benefit of economic and cultural elites, or compromised by reliance on big business sponsorship.
A team of TTIP campaigners hung a huge banner off two York bridges during Saturday. Rachel Maskell helped us unfurl the banner on Lendal Bridge for half an hour, before we moved over to Ouse Bridge. Passengers on river tours waved and we gathered signatures from passers-by and punters outside the famous King’s Arms. The same banner has been appearing around Britain, with its simple “Hands Off Democracy” message. Continue reading
Two weeks ago, we were outside York Art Gallery, creating a free gallery and demanding our right (as specified in the lease) to free gallery access for residents. Now there’s a plan afoot to hold ‘the consultation York Museum’s Trust forgot’.
On Tuesday 18th August, from 5.30 to 7.30pm at Priory Street Centre, we’ll be offering you the chance to air your views on how our gallery is run, and what purpose it serves. If enough people show up, we can show YMT and the council that our voices must be heard in this process. Register a free place here.
Last week, Greek Trade Union federation Adedy unleashed its response to the German-led forced bail-out: a fresh General Strike. The first such strikes since the No, or Oxi, vote in the bailout referendum, we want to send them messages of support and solidarity (English is fine, if your Greek isn’t up to scratch!). Standing up to the economic violence of the Troika, as they threaten to starve your nation, takes guts. We’ve even provided you with a simple form to use to send them your messages: Continue reading
York People's Assembly 