(The following was originally published on The Socialist.)
Capitalism has created a world in which just 85 people have as much wealth as the poorest half of humanity. While the rich get richer we are made to pay for a crisis of their system.
The bosses and their politicians heap austerity upon our heads. For them the lives of the vast majority are so much small change in their pursuit of ever greater profits.
This has not gone unchallenged. From Britain to Brazil, Seattle to South Africa, working-class people are fighting back to raise their living standards. If you want to hear from those at the sharp end of these struggles then Socialism 2014 is the place to be.
This weekend of discussion and debate will involve socialists, trade unionists and anti-cuts activists from Britain and across the world. This is your chance to discuss how to take the fightback forward and build the socialist alternative to cuts, crisis and capitalism.
One of the most anticipated speakers will be Seattle Socialist councillor, Kshama Sawant. Kshama is a member of Socialist Alternative, co-thinkers of the Socialist Party in the US. Her election with nearly 100,000 votes has sent shock waves across the world.
Writing in the British press Will Hutton said simply: “This does not happen in the US.” But things are changing.
Kshama’s election victory has fed into a successful movement for a $15 an hour minimum wage and inspired working people the world over. Workers here have taken this lead and ran with it, beginning to campaign for £10 an hour.
This is the first time Kshama has spoken in Britain since being elected so don’t miss your chance to see her.
Tom Baldwin
Socialism 2014: A weekend of discussion and debate
Fight against cuts, crisis and capitalism!
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November 2014
Central London
Tickets:
Weekend: £30/£15 One day: £15/£8 Rally only: £5
►Pay before 1 September for a 20% discount
►Visit www.socialism2014.net or call 020 8988 8777
PUT THE DATES IN YOUR DIARY NOW!
One point. This article is tagged as Socialist Party USA, but this article is from the Socialist Paty of England, whi is a Trtskyist party that is aligned with the same international Trotskyist group as Socialist Alternative here in the US. It’s a small thing. And I’m sure the SPUSA is not against Sawant, but the tag is not correct.
More to the point. I seriously think Sawant is going off the rails. She let the liberals and business interests wreck the $15 an hour campaign, and now she is jet setting instead of getting ready for her reelection next year – Seattle is switching from At Large council seats to District-based councilors. I know the Democrats and business interests are already planning on how to get rid of her next year.