Posted in Civil Liberties

The Revolt against Trump Begins at Home

Labour Campaign Against Prevent

Labour Campaign Against Prevent

Why the Labour Campaign Against Prevent must be the cornerstone to combating the Trump effect in Britain

The weeks since Donald Trump’s inauguration have already heralded a hideous acceleration of sexist, homophobic, racist and xenophobic rhetoric and legislation. This has emboldened the populist far right and created a palpable sense of fear and uncertainty for vulnerable minority communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, as the headlines centre on Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ it is imperative that we remember the new President and his Islamophobic policies did not materialise in a vacuum. Muslims across the Western world have been increasingly subject to abuse, scapegoating and state surveillance for over a decade now. And whilst the spotlight has focused on the US in recent weeks, less attention has been paid to the racism that runs deep within our own institutions.  Continue reading →

Prevent – Time for a major review and fundamental rethink

diane_68By Diane Abbott MP

Increasingly, the evidence is suggesting that the Government’s Prevent Strategy – aimed at countering radicalisation and making us safer – doesn’t work on either count. In recent weeks it has become clear that this is also the case when it comes to tackling the worrying rise in far-right extremism.

Commenting on the recently released figures, Security Minister Ben Wallace MP recently told the House of Commons that not only is “the Prevent strategy is seeing a growth in far-right referrals,” but that “in some areas of the country, these Prevent referrals outnumber those about the other parts we are worried about.” Continue reading →

Diane Abbott calls for ‘major review’ and ‘fundamental rethink’ of Prevent strategy

diane_68Yesterday evening Labour Home Secretary Diane Abbott called for a ‘major review’ and ‘fundamental rethink’ of the governments Prevent strategy. Abbott spoke at a meeting of the Students Not Suspects campaign, a joint initiative by the National Union of Students alongside activists from the NUT and UCU. She becomes the latest senior Labour figure to call on the policy to be reviewed, after her predecessor Andy Burnham and former Home Affairs Select Committee Chair Keith Vaz.

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Remembering Mohammed Ali: boxer, philosopher and poet

Mohammed AliAnn Pettifor remembers Mohammed Ali with whom she worked in the Jubilee 2000 campaign for cancellation of third world debt

Mohammed Ali – ‘The Greatest’ – died this weekend, at the age of 74. With his loss, the world is deprived of the terrific energy of a principled, devout and committed man. A boxer, a philosopher and a poet. But for those of us who worked hard to achieve the cancellation of about $100 billion of debt for thirty five of the poorest countries, Ali occupies a special place in our hearts. This great man, celebrated around the world, took time out to join us in London in 1999, and to give his backing to our campaign. Continue reading →

Why Andy Burnham should oppose the snoopers charter come what May does

big sister Theresa MayToday, the Guardian reports that “Labour has edged closer to supporting the ‘snooper’s charter’“, referring to the Investigatory Powers Bill carried forward from the last session of Parliament. Andy Burnham, Labour’s shadow Home Secretary, said “Her commitment to an independent review of the case for bulk powers is a major concession but the right thing to do and something which will build trust in this process.” He went to say she was  “reassuring members on this side of the house about this bill.” Continue reading →