Boris Johnson started International Women's Week by claiming he's a feminist !

by Andy Wastling

(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang [1] by Andrew Wastling

THREE days after International Women's Day and the night before Mothers Day his police are directed to brutally attack peaceful female protestors. Johnson's actions seem to be totally out of step with his alleged aspirations or intentions?

This week parliament will vote on Priti Patel's new policing law, effectively destroying the right to protest.Our democracy ( such that it is !) is being gradually eroded as this rogue and toxic Westminster cabal drives towards an increasingly neo-fascist and authoritarian state. This is an existential struggle between the forces of progress and the sinister forces of reaction. One the British working class seem destined to lose if we do not rise from our political torpor and apathy. In Greece , Spain , Italy , Germany and France the workers have been on the streets in force for many months. Governments should be afraid of their people not the other way round.

A peaceful vigil in Manchester by the Emmeline Pankhurst statue passed entirely without incident (despite the background presence of two police vans full of overtime eager GMP officers). The women behind Right To Walk MCR had originally also hoped to hold a covid safe vigil but following conversations with Manchester City Council and GMP were told that they would also receive fines if it went ahead. Despite GMP's dicktact telling protestors that they were unable to proceed with a vigil for Sarah Everard and #ReclaimTheseStreets as well as a virtual online event .The restricted and entirely peaceful , disciplined and socially distanced vigil took place as indeed also happened in Nottingham, and Birmingham, as they did elsewhere outside of the capital with no police harassment or intimidation whatsoever.Right to Walk Manchester have published an Open Letter online demanding an : Everard's Law. From stricter punishments for harassment and catcalling, to better lighting and increased security cameras, our ambition is to create safer communities so that women are more protected. Can be signed at : Petition · An Open Letter for Everard's Law · Change.org

A demonstration has been called at 5pm, tomorrow ( 15 March ), Parliament Square , London And no doubt further national and local vigils and protests are being organised this weekend Cressida Dick, speaking about Sarah’s murder days ago, expressed her shock and said our job is to patrol the streets and to protect people. But at this vigil, her officers did the exact opposite. A petition calling for her to go can be signed below.

https://r.ippl.es/cressida-dick-resign/

APPENDIX:

(1). (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang was written by Heaven 17 members Martyn Ware, Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory and included on their 1981 debut album Penthouse and Pavement. It was the first single released by the band. In the lyrics fascism and racism are described in an ironic fashion, using the lexicon of funk music.

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