Teesside People's Assembly

Fighting the cuts and supporting resistance in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees

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

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.

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

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 [email protected].

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.

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#ToriesOUT rally at Grey's Monument, Newcastle. Saturday 24 June 11am. Called by North East People's Assembly and featuring Laura Pidcock MP #MayMustGo #Mayhem #CoalitionOfChaos #DUPdeal

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People's Assembly banners at the Tyne and Wear May Day march in Newcastle.

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May Day celebrations return to Darlington, and more events news

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.

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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 [email protected]). There's a Facebook event for the meeting here: www.facebook.com/events/872540916220120 We hope to see you there.

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

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

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Teesside People's Assembly meeting, Tuesday 7th February

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

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

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.

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

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

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RIP, comrade Peter Smith

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Smith​, a dear comrade who was active in the peace and labour movements for many decades. He was perhaps best known locally as the chair of Teesside Against the War, campaigning tirelessly against the imperialist military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Peter chaired Teesside People's Assembly​'s first public meeting back in May 2014 and supported many of our anti-austerity actions.

Below are details of a 'Celebration of Life Gathering' on Friday 20th January to which all friends and comrades of Peter are invited:

Peter Smith - Invitation to Peter's friends from Helen Smith. January 20th, gathering at 1.15pm and commencing at 2.00pm. Judges Hotel, end of Yarm Road, Yarm.

"Peter has expressed that he does not want people at his funeral and would rather people gathered to celebrate his life at an informal gathering, having time to chat with each other, enjoy a glass of wine and remember him in a light of celebration. There will be speakers who Peter has already listed to Helen, and people will have opportunity to share in the contributions made.

"Helen his widow spoke comforted by the fact that Peter had been very stoical in his attitude to his illness and had just got on with living. He was finally ill for just a few weeks, and he was peaceful through this, there was no pain, he wasn't depressed and finally Peter just went peacefully to sleep.

"Helen thanks people for their condolences and looks forward to meeting people at the Celebration of Life Gathering."

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Protest against the #RailRipOff at Middlesbrough and Darlington railway stations, Tuesday 3 January

We’re supporting Action for Rail’s national day of action against fare rises and calling for the re-nationalisation of rail services with protests at Middlesbrough and Darlington railway stations on Tuesday 3 January 2017. 

Middlesbrough station at 5pm: www.facebook.com/events/595752660616242

Darlington station at 7.45am: www.facebook.com/events/220389185031504

Darlington station at 5pm: www.facebook.com/events/1831870890362434

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Merry Xmas from Teesside People's Assembly

Thanks for your support during the last year. Our next actions are the #RailRipOff protest on January 3 and a planning meeting on January 17. See our events page for further details: www.facebook.com/TeessidePA/events

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Solidarity with Durham teaching assistants taking strike action 23/24 November against pay cuts imposed by Durham County Council. #ValueUs #NoPayCuts

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Anti-fascist action in Darlington this weekend and report from our latest meeting

Stop the Nazis in Darlington, Saturday 5 November

Minutes of our meeting on Tuesday 1 November are now available at https://goo.gl/v77tYv

At that meeting we made plans for supporting the 'Stop The Nazis In Darlington'​ anti-fascist action this weekend.

The action is due to take place on Saturday 5 November with participants assembling in Darlington Market Place from 12.00 noon.

Further details are available on the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/345682942449959.

If you plan to support this anti-fascist action, we urge you to be mindful of personal safety when travelling to and from the location.

We discussed our recent interventions in the Fighting 4 Hartlepool Hospital rally (15 October) and Footprints March for the NHS​ (22-29 October) and the likely implications of NHS England's Sustainability & Transformation Plans.

During the last month we also supported promoted free preview showings of Ken Loach's new film I, Daniel Blake and contributed to a post-screening discussion of the issues it raised.

We are exploring the potential for establishing a 'socialist film night', which we'll come back to in more detail next time we meet.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 January 2017 at 7.15pm in St Mary's Centre​, Middlesbrough (Facebook event).

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Footprints March for the NHS rally (27 October) and action planning meeting (1 November)

Teesside People's Assembly has two events coming up in the next week that we hope you'll be able to attend:

Footprints March for the NHS rally: Thursday 27 October at 7.00pm in St Mary's Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RW (Facebook event: www.facebook.com/events/672343002944027)

Action planning meeting: Tuesday 1 November at 7.15pm in St Mary's Centre, Middlesbrough (www.facebook.com/events/1123818657687211) - Download agenda here

Footprints March for the NHS rally, Thursday 27 October

On Thursday evening we're hosting a rally for the Footprints March for the NHS on the day it reaches James Cook University Hospital.

The eight-day march between local hospitals has been organised to raise public awareness of the privatisation and cuts to services in prospect as a result of NHS England's 'Sustainability and Transformation Plans'.

Our rally at 7pm in St Mary's Centre will feature speakers on NHS issues and will be followed by a social event with live entertainment in Doctor Browns pub (immediately opposite St Mary's Centre), starting at 9pm.

If you can't make the Thursday event, there's also a public meeting on Friday 28 October at 6pm in the Jim Cooke Suite at Stockton Library (www.facebook.com/events/1842192649348957).

For further information on the Footprints March for the NHS, including details of the route, timings and other events, please visit www.999nhsnortheast.org.

Action planning meeting, Tuesday 1 November

We're holding our monthly action planning in St Mary's Centre on Tuesday 1 November at 7.15pm.

As well as reflecting on our actions in the last month, we'll be discussing opportunities to develop our political education activities, the ‘People’s Brexit’, anti-fascist actions and campaigns against benefit sanctions.

The full agenda for this meeting can be downloaded at https://goo.gl/HFtpsw.

Minutes of our last meeting, held on 4 October, are available at https://goo.gl/kYc0r5

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[teessidepa]

Footprints March for the NHS starts this weekend

This weekend sees the start of the Footprints March for the NHS, an eight-day march between local hospitals to protest against planned cuts to services. It will feature a series of rallies, public meetings and events along the route and members of the public are encouraged to join in the march or activities as they like. The march begins in Northallerton on Saturday 22 October with a meeting where you can find out how we can defend our hospitals. The meeting is in the Mowbray Suite of the Golden Lion Hotel, 114 High Street, Northallerton DL7 8PP between 10am and 12pm. The march will then commence from the Friarage Hospital at 12.30pm with a walk to Brompton. After that there is no good path, so transport has been arranged to Croft, where the march to Darlington Memorial Hospital will recommence. After Darlington the march visits Bishop Auckland, Shotley Bridge, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, North Tees and then Darlington again. On day six, Thursday 27 October, after the Hartlepool to Middlesbrough leg of the march, Teesside People's Assembly will be hosting an evening rally at 7pm in St Mary's Centre, 82-90 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RW. This will be followed by a social featuring music from the Peg Powler Band in Doctor Brown's, 135 Corporation Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 2RR, starting at 9pm. For a detailed itinerary of the walk and its associated public meetings, please visit www.999nhsnortheast.org. There's a Facebook event for day six, featuring the Teesside PA rally, at www.facebook.com/events/672343002944027.