Members of the National Education Union (NEU) hold a rally outside the National Education Union (NEU) in London as strike action is taken by sixth form college teachers, November 28, 2024
TEACHING unions have hit out at “shamefully cruel” far-right attempts to make migrant children feel unwelcome in school.
More than 400 trade unionists slammed bigots for protesting outside of schools that work with the Schools of Sanctuary scheme.
The refugee charity has supported dozens to become welcoming places for all children, including newcomer children.
They have been targeted by the far right following online misinformation over five-year-olds being asked to write Valentine’s cards to asylum-seekers as part of the scheme.
Leading members of the National Education Union (NEU), NASUWT teachers’ union and University and College Union (UCU) are among those who signed the open letter to media editors.
It says: “We reject the divisive and dangerous rhetoric of the far right, and we believe the calls to protest against Schools of Sanctuary are not only wrong but shamefully cruel.
“These protests target some of the most vulnerable children in our society, seeking to make them feel unwelcome in the very places that should offer them hope.
“Such actions do nothing to improve our communities and everything to spread fear and hatred. As educators, we stand united in our commitment to safe, inclusive schools where every child — regardless of origin — can thrive.”
It adds: “In a world where too many children experience loss and trauma, the message that they are safe, valued, and part of our community is not only morally right but educationally vital.
A protest outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, February 13, 2025Photo: Jennie Walsh
Hundreds protest outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court as Stop the War Coalition and Palestine Solidarity Campaign activists attend court
HUNDREDS rallied outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court today to demand the government stop criminalising protest.
The large and noisy protest was held outside the court in support of Palestine marches chief steward Chris Nineham, who had his first court appearance today.
Mr Nineham, also long-standing vice-chair of the Stop the War Coalition, was violently arrested by police at the end of an entirely peaceful protest for Palestine in London last month.
He has been charged, together with Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) director Ben Jamal, with breaches of the Public Order Act.
Mr Jamal’s own hearing is next week. His was among 77 arrests made by police at the demonstration.
Demonstrators heard speeches linking the state attack on the right to protest with the overriding issue of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Booker Ngesa Omole with members of CPM-K. Photo: Booker Ngesa Omole
An armed attack on Kenyan communist leader Booker Ngesa Omole has sparked global outrage, with revolutionary groups expressing solidarity.
On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at approximately 3:00 am, an armed attack targeted the residence of Booker Ngesa Omole, General Secretary of the Communist Party Marxist-Kenya (CPMK). According to a statement released by the Party, the assailants—armed with firearms and equipped with night vision goggles—forced their way into the residence. A violent confrontation ensued as Booker defended himself, ultimately forcing the attackers to flee.
While the Kenyan police were quick to label the incident as an attempted burglary, the CPMK described it as a calculated assassination attempt. Booker, an organizer and fearless critic of the government, has been a vocal opponent of oppressive state policies. This shocking attack is seen as a direct assault on his activism, ideas and a broader effort to silence dissent.
“This was not a random act of crime but a direct assault on our General Secretary, who has consistently stood up for justice, democracy, and socialism in Kenya,” the Party declared. “This act of terror is an attack on the revolutionary cause and all Kenyans who are fighting for a better future.”
The Communist Party Marxist Kenya has demanded a full and transparent investigation, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and that urgent measures be taken to protect its leadership and members.
“We will not be silenced,” the Party’s statement declared. “The enemies of the people may attempt to intimidate us, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to the struggle for liberation. No amount of violence will deter us from our revolutionary path.”
A rising tide of repression
The attack on Booker comes amid growing concerns over Kenya’s shrinking democratic space. Since the 2024 youth-led uprising against the controversial finance bill, government critics and activists have faced an alarming rise in abductions and violent attacks. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), dozens of individuals have been abducted or forcibly disappeared since mid-2024, deepening concerns of state repression.
International solidarity and condemnation
Revolutionary organizations across the continent have rallied in support of Booker and the CPMK, drawing parallels between the Kenyan experience and the broader struggle against neo-colonial exploitation, austerity, and imperialism.
Communist Party of Benin: assassination attempt as a declaration of war
The Communist Party of Benin unequivocally denounced the assassination attempt and the broader campaign of repression against the CPMK. They described the attack as a declaration of war by counter-revolutionary forces linked to the regime. They called for united action among revolutionary organizations worldwide. The Party also expressed confidence that the repression would fail, and the Kenyan people’s democratic national revolution would prevail.
Abahlali baseMjondolo: “an injury to one is an injury to all”
Abahlali baseMjondolo, South Africa’s largest grassroots movement, linked the attack to the broader context of neo-colonial austerity and oppression. Recalling the mass protests against the Ruto government’s Finance Bill and the brutal crackdown that followed, they emphasized the global nature of the fight against imperialist-backed regimes. “An injury to one is always an injury to all,” the movement stated, condemning the attempt on Booker’s life.
Socialist Movement of Ghana: a struggle against neoliberalism
The Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) expressed alarm at the assassination attempt and the subsequent arrests of CPMK leaders. They condemned the Kenyan government’s use of brutal force to suppress protests against IMF-driven neoliberal policies, linking the violence to broader struggles against neo-colonial exploitation. The SMG called for accountability for the regime and expressed unwavering solidarity with the CPMK and the Kenyan working people.
Booker responds: “we will prevail”
In a personal statement, Booker expressed his gratitude for the solidarity. “Your messages of support have reminded me, and all of us, that the fight for a just society resonates far beyond our borders,” he said. No force can silence the collective will of the people.”
Booker also revealed that officers from the Serious Crimes Unit had visited his residence and begun an investigation. He emphasized the importance of a transparent and professional inquiry, stating:
“This is a critical opportunity for the state to absolve itself of any suspicion of involvement by ensuring that those behind this heinous act are brought to justice swiftly and decisively. The Kenyan people deserve nothing less, as it is our taxes that entrust the state with the responsibility of protecting the lives of all citizens without exception.”
Addressing his comrades in the CPMK and other progressive forces, Booker called for unity and vigilance in the face of adversity:
“Attempts to disrupt our struggle for a liberated and equitable society only prove the fear our enemies feel in the face of our growing strength,” he declared.
“Let this moment deepen our resolve and ignite revolutionary optimism within our ranks. The path to justice and socialism is never without struggle, but history shows us that the people, united in their determination, will always prevail.”
Venezuelan people marched in the rain on July 30 in defense of the electoral results. Photo: Zoe Alexandra
Social and workers’ movements across the world have launched a campaign to stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they face a wave of attacks following the presidential elections.
On August 9, the ALBA Movimientos, a platform of social and political movements from across the Americas and the Caribbean, the International Peoples’ Assembly, the Simon Bolivar Institute, and the Assembly of Caribbean Peoples, launched a campaign titled: “For Democracy and Sovereignty: Hands Off Venezuela!” The campaign comes in the aftermath of Venezuela’s presidential election and a wave of seemingly coordinated attacks from right-wing political actors, mainstream media, and US and its allies.
The launch document states that, for several months, a media campaign has been created to question the legitimacy of the elections in the Caribbean country. “From the hegemonic media, with political and diplomatic strategies, it has been sought to install an idea of the illegitimacy of the recent Venezuelan electoral process,” states the communiqué.
The joint statement affirms that the campaign mentioned above against the legitimacy of the Venezuelan electoral process has been shaped from several communicational fronts: creating doubts about the technological capacity of the electoral machines, reinforcing the 930 economic sanctions against Venezuela, generating violence in the streets and illegally self-declaring González Urrutia as president of the country, among others.
The geopolitical importance of Venezuela, both for its geographic location and vast natural resources, are at the center of the current dispute, the organizations argue. “It is impossible [to understand the situation of] Venezuela without placing it in the regional and global geopolitical context: its privileged place in world oil production, its common goods placed at the service of the people, the place it occupies in the multipolar world together with the emerging countries, and of course, its leadership of a project of union and regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean that gives continuity to the defeat of the FTAA and keeps alive the horizon of continental sovereignty far from the designs of the United States”.
In this way, the document invites progressive and revolutionary organizations to combat the media campaign imposed by the national and international opposition to Venezuela, which, according to the document, is directly aligned with the imperialist interests of the United States.
On August 9, the launch day of the campaign, the movement platforms have called on organizations across the globe to mobilize on the streets and on social media in support of Venezuela.
🇻🇪 BREAKING! The people of New York City say “HANDS OFF VENEZUELA” and “NO to US Intervention” in front of New York Times Headquarters
While The New York Times has been engaged in a misinformation campaign to encourage and justify US-led coup attempts and economic warfare… pic.twitter.com/TbMXycKvr4
South African workers speak out in support of Venezuela
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), in a press release issued on August 8, 2024, congratulated the Venezuelan people for holding free and fair elections, as well as congratulating the re-election with more than 51% of the votes of Nicolás Maduro as president of Venezuela.
NUMSA also questions the media campaign against the legitimacy of the electoral process that could lead to a coup d’état in Venezuela. According to the communiqué, “These media houses are not neutral. Their role is to advance the interests of capital and to promote US imperialism and hegemony. It is not in the interest of Western powers to endorse the elections in Venezuela…We are deeply concerned that US propaganda is being reproduced by many media houses that have sadly been trapped into reinforcing attempts at a coup by imperialism against the will of the Venezuelan people.”
In addition, the NUSMA communiqué insists on the close relationship that the Venezuelan opposition has with the geopolitical interests of the United States, including the friendship that María Corina Machado has professed with the Zionist government of Israel; “The United States does not have a commendable history in defending the dignity of most people. Today, we can take one look at the US-backed genocide against the Palestinian people to know this. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that the right-wing opposition coup leader in Venezuela is a Zionist”.
Likewise, the NUMSA communiqué recognizes the great economic and geostrategic value of Venezuela in current international relations, which is why there are imperial powers that seek to control the political future of Venezuela at any cost so that the recognition of the elections would be a way for the people to reaffirm their sovereignty and their ability to decide their future without the interference of other countries: “the US has set its sights on the enormous mineral wealth of Venezuela and seems determined to expropriate these through the imposition of a puppet regime under the leadership of Edmundo González. Against this backdrop, all progressive forces must reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty of Venezuela. We call on our government, media, governments, and media houses worldwide to uphold the principles of peace, democracy, and national self-determination by acknowledging the outcomes of the Venezuelan election.”
Anti-imperialist and progressive movements from across the world are gearing up for the international campaign to condemn the so-called hybrid war against Venezuela and express their support to its struggle for sovereignty and democracy.
25,000 counter-protesters take to the streets in show of clear resistance
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Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up to Racism which has helped organise rallies around the country, said: “In city after city, people came together to unite against racism and the far-right threat.
“We need more of that. They’re not going to go away.
“We’re building a movement across Britain to stop the far right — and it’s a movement built on solidarity and unity.”
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Stamer chaired another Cobra meeting as the country braced for another 20 potential gatherings this evening before the Morning Star went to print.
Ahead of the meeting, he said that violence was prevented on Wednesday thanks to the police deployment, ignoring the crucial role of tens of thousands of counter-protesters who had mobilised to defend their communities nationwide.
He said the decision to speed up prosecutions of those involved in riots “sent a very powerful message.”
Many newspapers took a rare break from peddling racist hate to feature the large counter-demos on their front pages.
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The surge of racist violence came after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport last week.
Far-right agitators exploited the tragedy and spread lies online claiming that the attacker, who was born in Britain to a Christian family, was Muslim and a migrant.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) hold a rally outside the National Education Union (NEU) in London as strike action is taken by sixth form college teachers, November 28, 2024
