York & Scarborough Coach to Take Back Manchester 1st October 2017

The Conservative Party has decided to bring its annual shindig to Manchester, where they’ll celebrate all they they’ve acheived for their rich backers. People’s Assembly have called for a huge march and rally to wipe the smile off their faces, put the real story of Britain 2017 back on the agenda: Foodbanks, Homelessness, Rising In-work Poverty, Schools and Hospitals set up to fail.

This march will be the centre-piece of 5 days of resistance as People’s Assembly and dozens of other groups “Take Back Manchester”.

Pick-up locations: (Please select when buying your ticket!)

• 9am at Scarborough Rail Station bus stops
• 10am at York’s Leeman Road Memorial Gardens coach stop
• Can’t attend? There’s an option for you to donate the cost of a ticket

The coach will drop us near Castlefield Arena, where the march is assembling, and collect at Piccadilly Gardens, where the rally is taking place. The coach will return to York around 7.30pm and Scarborough around 8.30pm subject to traffic.

As we know some people are hoping to take part in the pro-EU demonstration on the same day, we are looking at a second set-down in Manchester at Whitworth Park (about half an hour’s walk from Castlefield). However, you will still need to come to Piccadilly Gardens for the return pick-up – around a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral Gardens.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/york-scarborough-coach-to-take-back-manchester-tickets-37802655761

A Report on the People’s EU debate in York 7th June 2016

In the run up to the EU referendum we’ve heard every kind of claim and counter-claim by the official Leave and Remain campaigns. The truth is, both sides are being led from a right wing, committed to building up the power of an ever-shrinking elite. But who’s going to discuss our interests in the debate? Will being in or being out deliver a more humane society?

On Tuesday 6th June York People’s Assembly gathered together a mix of social justice, workers’ rights and environmental campaigners to discuss what would make a better world.  This included War On Wants’ John Hilary and Left Leave campaigner Maxine Bowler to represent the Leave side. Whilst Green Councillor Lars Kramm and ‘Another Europe Is Possible’s Michel Chessum putt the case for Remain. Thanks also to the more than fifty people who came to take part, rather than staying at home at listening to David Cameron and Nigel Farage on television. Sally chaired the meeting and introductions were made by Chris and Jane outlining as well the York arm of the Convoy to Calais on June 18th, along with a request for funds for that, and to pay for the room and expenses.

York People’s Assembly is not taking a position on Leaving or Remaining – doing so would undermine the diverse spread of passionate people who make up the group. We wanted to create the possibility of a fresh debate on new terms.

Whilst the debate was open and maintained a civility throughout it was accepted by all the speakers that the racist elements in the public debate were fuelled by concerns over immigration, and that this needed to be debated by the left. However all speakers considered that immigration had always existed and should continue to happen but this was marred by the neoliberal 1% seeking to exploit workers, whether in country of origin and at their destination.and using them as scapegoats for austerity.

 

York raises volume at 4 demands demo

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.

We took back Manchester!

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.

Massive TUC demo hits Manchester

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.

Anti-Budget Rally

The attendance of over 200 people at our Budget Day Rally, which brought together several anti-austerity groups in York, was overwhelming. The attendees ranged from teenagers from the Youth Fight for Jobs movement, to young families with children, to union representatives, to pensioners. Few sectors of society are lucky enough to remain untouched by the new wave of cuts, and the election of a Tory majority this year has turned dissatisfaction into a real drive to enact the change this country needs.

York MP backs “No More Austerity” march

Update: We’ve just booked our 4th coach! 170 tickets sold already.

Newly elected York Central MP, Rachael Maskell, has backed the “No More Austerity” march. She joined our stall in St Helen’s Square on Saturday, after sitting alongside singer Charlotte Church at a press conference last week (watch on YouTube). The demonstration is gaining momentum and looks set to be huge. We’ve almost filled our third York coach, with more travelling by train. Buy your ticket here.

THIRD coach booked for 20th June demo

Anger and defiance at the prospect of five years of Tory government has resulted in us selling out two coaches for the 20th June ‘No More Austerity’ march and festival in London. We’re also raising money to cover publicity. Tickets now cost £25 or £15, get yours online now!

Privatization – the York Central MP’s Response

A number of people in York will have recently contacted Hugh Bayley MP to ask him to support the Early Day Motion (EDM) 438 sponsored by Geraint Davies MP. Thus far 73 MP’s of a mix of shades (other than Conservative) have put their names against it, but not our Hugh.

Unions set for strike march in York

York People’s Assembly are working with UNISON City of York branch to build a lunchtime march and rally on Tuesday 14th October in support of their strike action. Everyone is invited to assemble at the West Front of York Minster from 12noon, with a rally following the march starting at 1pm by Constantine’s Statue, round the corner in Minster Yard.

Unions across the public sector are due to take part in strike action on 13th, 14th and 15th October. Healthworkers will lead the way on Monday 13th, with Council and College staff on strike on Tuesday 14th. Finally, civil servants will take action on Wednesday 15th. We’ll be standing on picket lines with all of them. Its all part of a week of action culminating in the “Britain Needs A Pay Rise” demonstration on Saturday 18th October. Coach tickets from York are available here.