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London Recruits: The Secret War Against Apartheid
Tuesday, 14 February 2012 22:23 | 
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Authors: Ken Keable (CPB), Ronnie Kasrils (CPSA), Z. Pallo Jordan
The history of the Anti-Apartheid movement brings up images of boycotts and public campaigns in the UK. But another story went on behind the scenes, in secret, one that has been never told before.
This is the story of the foreign recruits and their activities in South Africa, how they acted in defiance of the Apartheid government and its police on the instructions of the African National Congress (ANC).
It tells of:
- ANC Banners that unfurled
- ANC speeches that sounded through public places
- Buckets that exploded and showered ANC leaflets
- Transportation of weapons, communications, logistics
- Helping ANC fighters to enter South Africa,
- and more…..
Many recruits were Young Communists (YCL), others were Trotskyists or independent socialists; from the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the USA, and they all took amazing risks.
Some paid a heavy price for their support. This is their untold story.
Royalties from this book will go to The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
ISBN:
9780850366556
Publisher:
Merlin Press Ltd
Published in February 2012
Price:£15.95
Watch fellow author Ronnie Kasrils (CPSA) launch his own book "The Unlikely Secret Agent" on the South African struggles here: http://www.scottishcommunists.org.uk/progressive-videos/the-unlikely-secret-agent-2010-mandela-tambo-lecture
Anti Fascist street demo 4 Feb 2012
Thursday, 09 February 2012 14:38 | | |
Demo in response to fascist attacks on Palestinian & Communist stalls & Morning Star Sellers on Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
Read more about the attacks here: http://www.scottishcommunists.org.uk/communist-news/nazi-thugs-attack-morning-star-sellers-communists
The Scots, many Communists, who Fought Franco
Monday, 06 February 2012 20:05 | | |
The sacrifices of 500 Scottish volunteers who fought Franco during the Spanish Civil War are being marked in a new exhibition which is being seen for the first time in Scotland.
Short of weapons and training, the Scots who joined the International Brigade suffered heavy losses in their fight against fascism.
The exhibition is going on display in Dundee 75 years after the battalion of British volunteers went to Spain.
BBC video, click link below, from Reporting Scotland 6 February 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16908024
Details of the International Brigade Trust Exhibition @ Dundee Central Library, opening times etc, are available on this link. Runs from Monday, February 6th to Saturday, February 18th 2012
Marxist Education Classes Spring/ Summer 2012
Monday, 06 February 2012 16:05 | | |
These free classes will be held on the following Tuesdays from 19:00 - 20:153 minutes walk from Central Station. Beside the Admiral Bar. Press buzzer marked "Unity Office" and go to second floor once inside.
Capitalist Globalisation - from 21st Century Marxism 2011
Thursday, 02 February 2012 13:26 | | |
The Capitalist banking Crisis - the tyranny of unregulated markets
The havoc of finance capital - IMF 1990's scandal BCCI investigation financial crash Barings Bank. Our savings are plugged into markets. Our jobs have been plugged into markets. Politics have been plugged into markets. Unregulated markets by their definition are unstable and volatile.
If we are looking for change, we must look to how to undermine the neo-liberal ideology.
Capitalist Globalisation - Communist Party of China
Cheng Enfu. Recorded at 21 Century Marxism 2011, London. Organised by the Communist Party of Britain.
Nazi thugs attack Morning Star sellers & Communists
Monday, 30 January 2012 13:23 | | |
John Millington writes.
Morning Star sellers and supporters were "abused and spat at" by nazi-saluting thugs in Glasgow on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses said eight men rounded on the stall in Buchanan Street in the centre of the city with one filming the encounter while the others attempted to intimidate the sellers.
Communist Party of Britain Scottish secretary Tam Morrison said he tried to talk to some of the group but was ignored by the shaven-headed thugs.
"They were swearing, calling us child murderers and Islam lovers, doing nazi salutes in front of the stall," he said.
"I was talking to a couple of them but the others were just wound up, spitting at the stall and at the comrades.
"They stayed for 15 minutes and then another four came."
Mr Morrison, one of four people on the stall selling the paper, said one of the group was wearing a "white power" badge and he thought they were members or supporters of the far-right Scottish Defence League (SDL), but this could not be confirmed.
This is not the first time a progressive stall has been targeted by fascists in the area.
Last month the Palestine Solidarity Campaign suffered a similar attack.
But an unintimidated Mr Morrison said: "We just faced them down - we weren't moving.
"We are calling on the labour movement to show solidarity and to help reclaim our streets from the fascists."
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/114737
Scottish & Welsh Independence - a Socialist View
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 18:58 | | |
21st Century Marxism 2011
A Revolutionary Politics presentation & workshop, recorded at 21 Century Marxism in London 2011.
Professor John Foster, International Secretary
Chair Robert Griffiths, General Secretary Communist Party of Britain
Main Presentation
Further Discussion
Explained: The SNP versus Westminster
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 13:48 | | |
Suddenly we are in the middle of a constitutional crisis.
On Monday (9 Jan) David Cameron demanded that Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hold a snap referendum on Scottish independence.
The following day Con-Dem Scottish Secretary Michael Moore announced that the referendum would be under UK jurisdiction, legally binding and solely for and against independence.
At first sight these challenges to the SNP government may appear both strange and provocative. They are certainly fateful.
But there is an explanation. It can be found in a little-noticed event which occurred in a committee room of the Scottish Parliament just 10 days before Christmas.
Devolution Max or Independence: Danger ahead
Monday, 16 January 2012 18:48 | | |
Professor John Foster writes.
When it comes to the limited additional powers enshrined in the Scotland Bill and the alternative SNP proposal that would grant full fiscal powers to the country, the bigger picture is important.
Financial overexpansion is being resolved across the world by the concentration of capital on an unprecedented scale and a political drive to shift the balance of power decisively against labour.
The biggest potential loser in this struggle is democracy - in its proper sense of rule by the people - and the ability to exercise some form of collective control over the power of capital and its market forces.
This attack on democracy can be seen today across the EU and in Britain, and this is the context within which to judge current pressure for constitutional change in Scotland.
It is important to recall that the modern movement for a Scottish parliament was initiated to assert precisely such a class understanding of democracy.
20 YEARS AFTER THE COUNTER REVOLUTION - Youth look to the Future - to Socialism!
Friday, 13 January 2012 13:12 | | |
| File | Description | File size |
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 DECLARATION OF THE 19 COMMUNIST YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN EUROPE | 20 YEARS AFTER THE COUNTER REVOLUTION IN EASTERN EUROPE & THE USSR | 4584 Kb |
The Communist Youth Organizations that sign the following announcement call upon the youth of Europe, and of the whole world, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the dissolution of the USSR and the overthrow of socialism.
This anniversary, from the scope of the bourgeois governments and parties, from the scope of the forces of capital, is a chance to slander socialism and its contribution, to project the capitalist “eternity” and “welfare”. These are the ones that with their applied politics have taken back all the youth’s rights; they have made dozens of imperialist wars and are planning even more; they have condemned us in poverty and unemployment; they penalize communist ideology.
From our scope, the scope of the workers, of the peoples and the youth of the world, this anniversary is a chance to remember and highlight the achievements of socialism, its contribution to humanity; a chance to draw significant conclusions of the defeat in the years 1989-1991.
We address to the young people, to learn and know the truth about socialism; To tell them that our future is the new world, Socialism-Communism.
United we are stronger - On Scottish Independence & PM Cameron RowMonday, 09 January 2012 23:51 | | |
Alex Salmond has previously noted that interference in the consultation process by Westminster would prove a boon for those seeking independence, which seems self-evident. Tories are deservedly an endangered species in Scotland, so the suggestion that Scottish voters may need protecting from themselves by Cameron stretches credibility. The demand for a re So proposals from them to order a vote earlier than planned by the Scottish government or to impose the terms of the question(s) to be put before the electorate would be seen clearly for what they are - an attempt to scupper the democratic process.
Far from fairness, what the Tory leader is about is attempting to take control of a process in order to deliver an outcome acceptable to his party or to its corporate backers. Cameron's spokesman blew the gaff in saying that "business" was worried about whether Scotland would remain in the UK, affecting its readiness to invest. "That uncertainty can have a detrimental impact on the economy and that is why he is saying that he thinks we need to get on with this sooner rather than later," he added. The Westminster-based parties have to accept that they lost the Scottish parliamentary elections. The SNP has an overall majority and democracy dictates that it should decide when its proposal should be put before the Scottish electorate. If and when that time comes and there is one question facing voters - a straight Yes or No to Scotland leaving the UK - the Morning Star will advocate a No vote. This is based on our paper's traditional position of backing devolution within Britain rather than secession, supporting socialism and the essential role of working-class unity throughout Britain to achieve this. England, Wales and Scotland do not have separate ruling classes. The British ruling class is united and powerful. Combating it requires similar unity and strength on the part of working people. The SNP parliamentary majority at Holyrood confers on the nationalist party the right to govern, but its leadership knows that not every vote it received can be translated into a firm declaration for national independence.
This process was enhanced by the confident and accomplished nature of its leadership, which contrasted with the shambles that was Scottish Labour. However, Salmond's advocacy of a northern European "arc of prosperity" looks far less attractive now, as does his intention of slashing corporation tax and offering other sweeteners to lure overseas "investors." The Morning Star believes that Scotland's working people have more to gain from standing alongside their Welsh and English brothers and sisters to defeat the Con-Dem coalition and fight for socialist change rather than from embracing the SNP strategy of a Scottish tax haven at the service of capitalist speculators. Editorial Comment 10 Jan http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/113956 Morning Star Urgent Appeal - report backSaturday, 31 December 2011 18:04 | | |
It was at a sombre November 15 meeting of the paper's business committee that editor Bill Benfield distributed a document that would become crucial to our survival.
Within hours the full scale of the immediate financial crisis had been made public in the next day's edition. Bill's appeal article set out in stark terms the list of challenges that our £1.4 million-a-year operation faces. Financially crippling distribution problems created by our reliance on road, a Fighting Fund shortfall running into the thousands, and an effective advertising boycott.
In truth in those first hours few believed that we could meet this massive Lifeline Appeal target in time for such a cruel deadline. On that evening William Rust House fell silent as the last of the workers headed out into the darkness full of fear about the paper's future. Little did they know that the scene had been set for one of the most triumphant chapters in our daily miracle's history.
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Women Leaders of the Labour Movement and Red ClydesideThursday, 05 January 2012 18:16 | | |
Although we still have a distance to go today towards achieving these aims, it is inspiring to hear of the huge struggles of women in the past against massive obstacles in, what was then, highly patriarchal society.
Part of the Morning Star newspaper's "Our Class Our Culture" series from throughout Scotland. Recorded December 2011 in Paisley Town Hall. Professor John FosterMarion Munro (to whom we give thanks for stepping in at short notice).Bliadhna Mhath Ùr - Fight on in 2012Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:26 | | |
In a new year message, CP general secretary Robert Griffiths has written to members and supporters calling for 2012 to be turned into a year of sustained struggle to block job loss and the destruction of industry, the shedding and privatisation of public services and broad opposition to EU austerity and attacks on the sovereignty of Britain. Griffiths asserts that the key is for the Labour Movement to illuminate the many struggles now breaking out with an alternative economic and political strategy based around the People's Charter.  "Please accept my New Year greetings on behalf of the Communist Party, and my thanks for your efforts to build the labour movement and our party in the fightback against Britain's unelected government of the bankers.It has been an eventful year which has witnessed a shift from sporadic and isolated opposition to austerity and privatisation to something bigger, with a higher political quality that could prove much more durable. We have some way to go but it is clear that workers will not leave the battlefield to the ruling class. 2011 was the year history caught up with the Murdochs and their hit men and women. How fitting that at the same time, the labour movement rallied to save the Morning Star, the only newspaper owned by its readers.
It is now more necessary than ever for organised workers to speak out and to act. We have millions of unemployed. Young people cry out for decent jobs. Public services are being plundered and packaged up for sale. Education and the NHS, in particular, are being prepared for privatisation. Unnaccountable bankers, though rumbled and despised, continue to hold economic and political power. The fight continues to establish the sovereignty of the people against big business and European Union diktat. Ruling class aggression at home feeds British imperialist aggression abroad. Funds that should be used to build homes for the people are used to bomb others into submission.
Your actions have made a difference. We now need you to step up your activity and bring others into the fray.
 We have seen mass action in England, Scotland and Wales. First came March 26 followed by June 30. There was the commemorative march in Cable Street on October 4. Then came the mighty display of working class and popular anger on November 30, which the government found impossible to shrug off. The active participation of millions in every village, town and city of Britain did the government damage. Everywhere workers are asking 'What now, where next?'We communists are very much part of this struggle and debate. Our aim has been to turn the economic crisis into a political crisis. We have asserted all along that this was a government lacking in legitimacy because it was not elected, hid its aims and has since sought to impose them through minority rule and without a shred of popular consent.
The view that this government is a reactionary and dangerous regime that must be evicted from office is widely held. In the advanced sections of organised labour many would have it removed now. In the year ahead, one of our aims is to help make this the general view of wide sections of the population.
 Such a level of political consciousness does not come easily or readily. It results from the struggle of ideas, through street campaigning and through propaganda by word and deed. We have launched the new edition of our party's programme, Britain's Road to Socialism (buy it click here), and at our recent successful Festival for 21st Century Marxism, we set out the ideas that make workers better organised and stronger. In 2012 we have even bolder plans, with new publications, events and initiatives. We will be launching new commissions and advisories to create arenas for debate and action within and by the party. We will be inviting you to take an active part in them.A highpoint in 2011 has been the two national speaking tours on the theme 'Britain Needs Socialism'. I want to thank all those who made these tours a success. They enabled us to reach new forces and gather new recruits. They led to the formation of new branches and strengthened existing ones. They were the biggest party initiatives of this kind for a generation. In 2012, with your active participation, our meetings will be even more effective and reach an even wider audience.
 Together with our national women's organiser Liz Payne, I have recently returned from representing our party at the 13th international meeting of communist and workers parties, held this year in Athens. The Greek people have been a courageous example to us all. We met the Russian communists who recently gained 13 million votes and who are battling to rescue their society from oligarchs and thieves. Other parties present in Athens - for example Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil - are in government while others struggle against bans and imprisonment. The Communist Party of Britain proudly takes its place in a movement that fights all the time and everywhere for a better world for working people.In 2012 I would ask you to put the case for socialism whenever and wherever appropriate in your trade union and community organisations. Introduce comrades and friends to Britain's Road to Socialism and its ideas. Again, where appropriate, invite them to join and strengthen Britain's Communist Party, and thereby strengthen the labour and progressive movements and the fight against capitalist crisis.
We also need your help to promote the People's Charter. Winning wide support for it would help put Britain on a path away from the waste and exploitation of capitalism.
Next year will be one of enormous dangers and challenges - but together we can turn it into one of enormous challenges, struggles and advances."
Yours in comradeship,
Robert Griffiths |
If David Cameron is sincere in his protestations of not wanting to see Scotland leave the UK, he should abandon efforts to meddle in a question proper to Scottish voters.
ferendum on independence is a Scottish National Party policy. None of the unionist parties at Westminster or Holyrood projected such an initiative.
When Cameron offers a "fair, legal and decisive" solution to this or any other political issue, hackles rise.
Many of its votes, especially from working people, were cast in response to a feeling of having been let down by the pro-banker policies of new Labour at Westminster, echoed by its Scottish franchise.
Never before has 
Weeks of alarm about a worsening cash flow crunch had finally come to a head. Something drastic had to be done.
The cash flow problem was so serious this time that Bill set a six-week expiry date for the paper after 82 years ploughing an often lonely furrow as a daily dose of political sanity. Our aim was to raise £50,000 on top of the £25,000 remaining Fund shortfall to year's end - a whopping £75,000 in all.
Marion Munro described her experiences as an engineering worker in the 1940s and 50s and the struggles on pay and equal conditions. John Foster looked at the lives of Margaret Irwin, first secretary of the STUC, Helen Crawfurd, the Suffragette and Red Clydesider who met Lenin and became a leading Communist and Agnes Dollan, Red Clydesider and housing campaigner who went on to become a leading figure in the Labour Party.
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Tue 06.03.2012 | 19.00PM
DUNDEE: JAMES CONNOLLY Socialist, trade unionist and national leader -
Tue 06.03.2012 | 19.00PM
Free Marxist Education Class -
Sun 11.03.2012 | 10.45AM
Scottish Morning Star Conference Spring 2012 - BEATING THE BANKERS, ALTERNATIVES TO AUSTERITY -
Thu 15.03.2012 | 19.00PM
EDINBURGH: Connolly on Class, Nation and Religion -
Tue 20.03.2012 | 19.00PM
Free Marxist Education Class -
Tue 03.04.2012 | 19.00PM
AYR: THE WALLACEWELL OCCUPATION: 30 YEARS ON -
Tue 03.04.2012 | 19.00PM
Free Marxist Education Class -
Tue 17.04.2012 | 19.00PM
Free Marxist Education Class -
Tue 01.05.2012 | 19.00PM
CLYDEBANK: MUSIC AND THE WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT -
Tue 01.05.2012 | 19.00PM
Free Marxist Education Class
