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Low-Key May Day March and Rally in Liverpool

Neon Black | 01.05.2007 17:35 | Mayday 2007 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | Liverpool

About eight hundred people - including many from the striking Public and Commercial Services union - marched through Liverpool city centre this afternoon, in an event organised by Merseyside TUC.

March sets off from St George's Plateau
March sets off from St George's Plateau

Marching towards Queens Square
Marching towards Queens Square

The easiest work the police are ever likely to get
The easiest work the police are ever likely to get

Queen Victoria isn't the only one not amused
Queen Victoria isn't the only one not amused


The event was smaller than in the last few years, partly because today was a work day for most. However, the PCS strikers swelled the numbers, and showed a great example to others by honouring the noble tradition of May Day strikes (even if they will be back in work tomorrow).

The march started from St George's Plateau on Lime Street, and made its (very quiet) way down to the Victoria Monument in Derby Square. Merseyside TUC President Alec McFadden apologised for the lack of a festival (which is down to the fact the TUC haven't bothered to organise one this year), before descending into his usual football jokes.

Lindsey German of the Stop The War Coalition - co-author of a recent humble letter to Gordon Brown - made all the usual noises about pressurising the government into listening to people before they go invading next time. This, despite the fact that the failure of Stop The War's strategy to actually stop any wars is staring everyone in the face.

Then John McDonnell - the least right wing candidate for the Labour leadership when Blair finally throws in the towel - presented his case (which basically amounted to 'trust me to sort it all out for you'). McFadden openly encouraged the crowd to vote for McDonnell in the Labour leadership election, which of course would mean joining the Labour Party, and handing over money for the party's anti-worker campaigns.

After that it was time for music and beer, so this journalist went off in pursuit of some more radical activity...

Neon Black
- Homepage: http://dreaming-neon-black.blogspot.com

Additions

more pics

05.05.2007 15:20












-

johno


Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

mayday analysis

02.05.2007 14:46

i think locally the stranglehold on the trade unions is for the purpose of avoiding the real opposition to blair breaking out full throttle with the election and smooth transition to brown coming also the merger and creation of a superunion, and the quieting down of union activism then boosting of the cops with anti terror powers all of this crap is to turn people inwards and be more afraid of radicalism and radicals generally.

johno


Lack of festival

02.05.2007 15:46

To be fair I think the lack of festival was due to the fact that the May Day bank holiday (when the usual event in Wallasey takes place) is after election day and the intention was to get some sort of anti racist/anti BNP message across before polling. Having said that, anti-racism was hardly mentioned at all in the rally. A wasted opportunity there.

LM


anti-racism

02.05.2007 16:47

The problem with calls for anti-racist leafletting campaigns and the like, is that they will probably be counterproductive unless they offer a clear alternative: working class unity. That means some sort of analysis of capitalism needs to be provided. If I was a racist, and someone I'd never met told me that the BNP were a racist party, I might well vote for them!

In all likelihood, no-one at yesterday's rally was a racist anyway. We need to reach beyond the usual activist circles, and organise in the areas where we live.

Also, the biggest current threat to the working class is the Labour Party. Yesterday, Alec McFadden implied that I should join them.

Neon Black
- Homepage: http://dreaming-neon-black.blogspot.com


re: anti racism

02.05.2007 21:56

Agreed, we need working class unity, not the poor offerings of the Labour party left and not the counterproductive in-fighting of the various socialist parties!

I wasn't won over by John McDonnell either... ;)

LM