Stockton-on-Tees says no to Islamophobia and yes to diversity

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Thanks to everyone who turned out to support the #NoPlaceForHate anti-fascist action in Stockton-on-Tees town centre on Saturday 28 July.

The far-right hate spreaders were easily outnumbered by those taking part in our peaceful counter-protest. It was brilliant to see so many colourful banners, flags and placards promoting a positive message of unity and diversity.

There’s an album of photos from the day available on our Facebook page here.

To follow up this event, Stand Up To Racism - North East are holding a meeting to launch a local group. That’s on Wednesday 1st August at 6.30pm in Newtown Community Resource Centre, 123 Durham Road, Stockton-on-Tees TS19 0DE.

Stockton-on-Tees says no to Islamophobia and yes to diversity.

#NoPlaceForHate: Call to oppose racist rally in Stockton-on-Tees

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Teesside People’s Assembly is urging all who oppose racism and Islamophobia to support an anti-fascist protest in Stockton-on-Tees on Saturday 28 July.

Known fascist activists, previously involved with the EDL and similar groups but now part of the far-right ‘For Britain’ party led by Anne-Marie Waters, plan to hold a march and rally in Stockton under the banners of 'Gays Against Sharia UK’ and 'Standing for Britain’.

The 'No Place for Hate’ action will protest against the far-right’s presence in the town.

Teesside PA activist Barbara Campbell commented: “Gays Against Sharia and Standing for Britain are fronts set up by far-right groups intent on inciting hostility towards the local Muslim community, which they seek to scapegoat. We are organising this counter-protest to oppose the fascists’ message of intolerance and to make it clear that Stockton is no place for hate.”

The campaigners are asking those opposed to racism and fascism to assemble at 1.30 pm on Saturday near the fountain in Stockton town centre, where Dovecot Street meets the High Street. There they will distribute leaflets that promote a positive message of unity and equality.

Teesside PA’s action is being supported by Stand Up To Racism - North East​ and Unite the union: Teesside Local Government branch​.

Local Labour parties in Stockton North, Stockton South, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough have also declared their solidarity with the 'No Place for Hate’ demonstration.

ENDS.

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Notes for editors

Teesside People’s Assembly is part of a nationwide anti-austerity movement fighting to defend public services and the welfare state against cuts and privatisation.

It has also played an active role in supporting anti-fascist and anti-racist actions in the North East region as far-right groups have sought to exploit the social problems caused by austerity policies.

For further comment, please email TeessidePA@gmail.com.

There is a Facebook event for this action at www.facebook.com/events/498468417274512.

The Twitter hashtag #NoPlaceForHate will be used to promote the action in the run-up and on the day.

May Day celebrations return to Darlington, and more events news

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Please join us to celebrate International Workers’ Day at a rally and social in Darlington on Bank Holiday Monday.

International Workers’ Day (May Day), also known as Labour Day in some countries, is a celebration of working class people’s fight for better working conditions and rights. May Day is promoted and supported by trade unions and labour movement organisations around the world.

International Workers’ Day in Darlington
Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 – 7.30pm
Darlington Cricket Club
South Terrace, Feethams
DL1 5JD
Free entry. All welcome.

Speakers are:

  • Simon Elliott, chair of Northern TUC
  • Ben Sellers, one of the organisers of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership campaign
  • Pete Campbell, junior doctor and NHS campaigner
  • Jenny Chapman, Labour MP for Darlington
  • Trish Fay from the Durham Teaching Assistants’ campaign
  • Barbara Campbell, Teesside People’s Assembly and 999 Call for the NHS campaigner.

Following questions and contributions from the public, there will be a social with live music from local performers.

The event is supported by Darlington TUC, Durham Labour Left​, Momentum Darlington​, Teesside People’s Assembly​, Darlo Young Labour​ and County Durham Trades Union Council​.

The Facebook event is here: http://www.facebook.com/events/989395001161868.

Other events happening this weekend

Tyne & Wear May Day march – Saturday 29 April. Assemble in Princess Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, at 11.00am for march starting at 11.30am, followed by rally in Exhibition Park. Details: http://www.facebook.com/events/1278629588858822.

Teesside Together Weekend – Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April in Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Centre Square, Middlesbrough TS1 2AZ, starting at 10.30am. Social justice festival featuring workshops, discussions, stalls, free vegetarian food and more. There will be a Teesside People’s Assembly stall at the event from 1.30 to 4.30pm on Saturday - come and say hello! Details: http://www.facebook.com/events/1393435384027907.

Teesside PA meeting on 9 May postponed

Please note that the Teesside People’s Assembly meeting scheduled for Tuesday 9 May has been postponed until after the general election, as has the People’s Assembly national conference that was due to take place on Saturday 13 May. Details of the rescheduled events will follow in due.

Teesside PA action planning meeting, Tuesday 4th April 2017 You are invited to Teesside People’s Assembly’s next action planning meeting on Tuesday 4th April at 7.15pm in St Mary’s Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2RW. The agenda...
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Teesside PA action planning meeting, Tuesday 4th April 2017

You are invited to Teesside People’s Assembly’s next action planning meeting on Tuesday 4th April at 7.15pm in St Mary’s Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2RW.

The agenda includes organising for #MayDay events, anti-racist/anti-fascist actions, recent and forthcoming actions to defend #ourNHS, and a report from the Durham Teaching Assistants’ action on the 25th March.

The full agenda for Tuesday’s meeting can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByRnq40BcMD7WE04NTd6N2FkcGs

Minutes of our last meeting, held on the 7th March, can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByRnq40BcMD7aWFYM3RJZXRQZ1U

If you have any items you would like to add to the agenda, please let us know by Monday at the latest (email TeessidePA@gmail.com).

There’s a Facebook event for the meeting here: www.facebook.com/events/872540916220120

We hope to see you there.

Teesside People’s Assembly action planning meeting: Tuesday 7 March

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Help build on last weekend’s brilliant #OurNHS demo, organised by the People’s Assembly and Health Campaigns Together​, at the Teesside PA action planning meeting on Tuesday 7 March.

The meeting is at 7.15pm in St Mary’s Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RW - opposite the Doctor Browns pub. Facebook event: www.facebook.com/events/388582581498989.

The full agenda can be downloaded at https://goo.gl/HUnHIy

Minutes of Teesside People’s Assembly​’s previous meeting are available at https://goo.gl/prff1c

Teesside People’s Assembly meeting, Tuesday 7th February

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Teesside People’s Assembly meeting, Tuesday 7th February

You are invited to our next action planning meeting on Tuesday 7th February at 7.15pm in St Mary’s Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RW.

Nominations are invited for the post of Secretary, which is now vacant since Steve Cooke stepped down from the position (he is now Social Media Officer).

The agenda includes anti-racist/anti-fascist actions, including recent and forthcoming anti Trump actions, and recent and forthcoming actions to defend the NHS, including this Saturday 4th February’s March and Rally for the NHS in Newcastle. Details of this event can be found here: www.facebook.com/events/619260908279509.

The full agenda for Tuesday’s meeting can be downloaded at https://goo.gl/jfTKwn  

If you have any items you would like to add to the agenda, please let us know by Sunday at the latest.

There’s a Facebook event for the meeting here: www.facebook.com/events/342763562789849

Report on our last meeting (17/1/2017)

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Minutes of the Teesside People’s Assembly​ meeting held on 17 January are now available for download at https://goo.gl/HUqu1B.

At this meeting we made plans for taking part in the #OurNHS demonstrations in Newcastle (4 February) and London (4 March), and discussed a number of other anti-austerity and anti-racist actions we are supporting.

Our secretary Steve Cooke​ stepped down from the role he has held since TPA’s formation in autumn 2013, although he will remain involved in the group, helping in particular with social media work.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 February at 7.15pm in St Mary’s Centre, Middlesbrough. There’s a Facebook event for that meeting at www.facebook.com/events/342763562789849.

#OurNHS - Agenda for Teesside PA action planning meeting, 17 January 2017

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You are invited to our next action planning meeting, which will be held on Tuesday 17 January at 7.15pm in St Mary’s Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RW.

The agenda includes actions to raise awareness of the imminent cuts and privatisation in the NHS as a result of so-called ‘Sustainability and Transformation Plans’. Protests are being planned locally, regionally and nationally.

There’s also a national day of action against benefit sanctions (20 January) and a number of anti-racist protests are coming up soon.

The full agenda can be downloaded at https://goo.gl/OPYhnt

There’s a Facebook event for the meeting here: www.facebook.com/events/1811566969058235