Watch..

a documentary that shows how even a group of working class girls can stop their friends from being deported. They are the Glasgow Girls, a group of seven school friends, who live in Glasgow. In 2005 one of their friends, Agnesa Murselaj, a Kosovan young woman and her family were, early one morning, taken from their flat by the UK immigration service and put in detention at Yarlswood Centre near London. The girls refused to allow their friend (and other failed asylum seekers) to be treated in this way. Their school, Drumchapel High School supported the girls and their campaign led to Agnesa and her family being returned to Glasgow. The film shows how the girls challenged not just the Labour Scottish administration but the UK government and its treatment of children. The girls’ story went onto inspire a television drama and a stage musical.

Read

….In These Times Living in Britain through Napoleon’s Wars 1793-1815 by Jenny Uglow…one of my favourite historians. A bit of a dry title that does not give credit to this exciting story of the people in Britain during the twenty years war with the French; the first global war. This is story of how the war affected the people left behind and the way in which this war changed Britain forever. This is not the story of war and battles on land and sea but how ordinary folk dealt with the effects of the war. Loved the story of how communities booted out the army as they tried to take their men and press gang them. Jenny writes in an engaging and forthright style that makes you want to know more. Its an expensive book so order it from your library.

Support….

a demonstration to highlight how Tameside Council, New Charter Housing Trust and the Jobcentre are harrassing poor families. Yet another example of the partnership going on between Labour and the Tories. Another reason to vote Green or any other party (except UKIP) in the General Election. The demo is on Tuesday April 7 at 12.

For details see

Oppose

……the victimisation of union representatives. This time it is the University of Bolton and surprise it happened because of the outing of the vice Chancellor and a large loan he was given by the University to buy a house. No evidence has been produced to show that Damien Markey secretary of the Bolton branch of the UCU and his wife, Jennifer, a member of Bolton Unison, had anything to do with the leaking of information but they have both been sacked. This is unlawful and unfair. Both deny any involvement in leaking the stories. .
Further info and sign the petition see

And now for the news……..the latest offering from cassette boy………see