National Demonstration 1st October in Manchester. Source: thepeoplesassembly.org.uk / cropped from original
Steph Pike argues that the protest against the Tories’ conference will bring together campaigners against austerity and trade unionists for a show of strength against a vicious government
Battered and bruised by their recent dismal performance in three by-elections, the Tories will be limping into Manchester in October to hold what is likely to be their last conference in power.
The People’s Assembly Against Austerity, a broad, united campaign bringing together unions and campaigners to fight against cuts and austerity, is organising a national demonstration on Sunday 1 October in Manchester, and a series of events during the four days the Tories are in Manchester to give them the clearest, angriest message that not only are they not welcome in Manchester, but that the whole country is united against their politics of hate, destruction, and division.
Meetings will be held throughout the four-day period by a wide range of campaigns and organisations including CND, Stop the War, and Stand Up To Racism with many more to be confirmed. Take Back Theatre will host an evening of anti-Tory theatre and the four days of protest will begin on Saturday with a huge unwelcome to Tory delegates arriving in Manchester, followed by an evening launch event with speakers and artists from across the country.
We want to make this festival of anti-Tory protest as big, loud, and vibrant as possible. For this to happen, we need as many people as possible to get involved. Wherever you are in the country, you can help make this happen. Coaches are being booked from across the country to join the national demo on Sunday 1 Oct. If there isn’t a coach in your area, organise one. Leaflet in your area to build for the demo and the four days of anti-Tory events. Come to Manchester for the four days of events and volunteer. There are so many ways to get involved. To find out how you can help, get in touch with the People’s Assembly [email protected].
The events in Manchester during the Tory Party Conference are also an opportunity for us to come together and discuss the future we would like to see and how to achieve it.
But first, we have to get rid of the Tories.
Let’s unite together in Manchester and take the Tories down!
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Steph Pike
Steph Pike a is a revolutionary socialist, feminist and People's Assembly activist. She is also a published poet. Her poetry collection 'Petroleuse' is published by Flapjack Press.