TOLPUDDLE COMES TO LONDON
BY DAVID ROSENBERG
Today saw the start of a week of events to mark the 175th anniversary of the mass protest march from Copenhagen Fields in Islington that handed in a petition with 200,000 signatures demanding the pardon and return of 6 farm workers form Dorset who had been transported to Australia for seven years for forming a trade union. they were convicted under legislation about taking oaths in secret but the purpose of their punishment was clearly to deter any moves towards forming trade unions.
The week begins with a free three mile walk of “Radical Islington” that I am leading, starting at 11am tomorrow (18th April) outside the Mitre Pub in Copenhagen Street, London N1 (near the junction with Caledonian Road), that highlights important people and places in Islington mainly over the last 200 years, that ends at the Angel Islington.
During the week there is a film about the Tolpuddle Martyrs and a comedy night in support of the events
At the end of the week (Saturday 25th April) there is a plaque unveiling and a short march to a festival with music (including Billy Bragg, Leon Rosselson, Martin Carthy) and speakers and activities for children/young people.
Details of all the events can be found at: www.tolpuddlekx.wordpress.com/
Delighted to hear of the involvement of the ‘Cuba Solidarity Salsa Band’. Presumably they will be treating the crowds to fruity tunes condemning unconditionally the Castro government’s appalling abuse of labour movement leaders, denial of freedom of association and mammouth catalogue of labour rights abuses? No? What a pity.
Comment by Chris Harrison — 18 April, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
Care to substantiate your ridiculous claims? No? What a pity.
Comment by Calvin — 18 April, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
I would have thought it was about as neccesary to substantiate it as the fact that the US invaded Iraq - but if you really have read that little, Calvin, then probablyh strart here and work outwards: http://www.cubasindical.org/docs/d050604_E.htm
Comment by Chris Harrison — 19 April, 2009 @ 9:00 am
Thanks for the mention, Dave. Can I just take time to plug two particular events taking place as part of the festival:
1) A comedy night on Monday April 20, with John Hegley and Steve Parry, 7pm at the Cross Kings bar near Kings Cross. Tickets still available at £7.
2) The main event: a march starting at 12.30 at Caledonian Park, and then marching down to Edward Square, for a free concert with Billy Bragg, Raised Voices, Martin Carthy, Leon Rosselson, Northern Celts, etc. Map here:
http://tolpuddlekx.wordpress.com/map/
For more details see the link at the end of Dave’s piece.
Comment by Harrods — 19 April, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Also there’s a nice plug for the festival in a letter sent to all branch secretaries this week by the Unite official for London and Eastern Region, Steve Hart:
“Please show your support for this event - a family day, mainly musical, a genuine workers’ day out. Don’t be tempted by the Mayor of London and his support for mythological dragon slaying on the same day, please support working people living and working the real world in the 19th and 21st centuries”.
Comment by Harrods — 20 April, 2009 @ 7:53 am
lets hope everyone turns up
Comment by Tam — 20 April, 2009 @ 12:40 pm