Rise UP, Notts! Organizing for Social Justice

On 3 September, about 100 local activists met in Nottingham/UK to discuss how to best organize in view of increasing injustices and global challenges. In nine panels and two plenaries, discussions ranged from how to meet the refugee crisis, the possibilities of trade unions in the 21^st century to the challenges of climate change and the crises in education and the National Health Service (NHS). The panel Outside Westminster also presented solutions, be it the charity Sharewear, a clothing scheme which offers free-of-charge clothing choices to people in economic difficulty, be it the Preston Model and its focus on local sourcing. In this blog post, I will make five observations in relation to current struggles over social justice.

First, the scale of the challenges is enormous after 12 years of Conservative-led governments. The education system has been ripped apart through academization of especially secondary schools, Further Education has been savaged as a result of widespread cuts and Higher Education transformed into a quasi-market, in which public education has been turned into a commodity. The NHS urgently needs at least £20 billion to meet daily demands, while the inhumane practice of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda is being revived by the current government. Add to the mix the challenges of climate change and one could be forgiven to think that we find ourselves in a hopeless situation.

 

Second, a majority of activists present did not regard the Labour Party as a solution to these problems. While Labour under Corbyn had been a well of alternative policy proposals, there is largely silence now, even though the recent party congress resulted in some new ideas such as the setting up of a public energy company. Some, of course, may argue that the people attending Rise Up Notts would not be representative of the wider British public and they may well have a point. Nonetheless, those present were predominantly activists, who have been involved in concrete struggles against injustices for many years. Could Labour really so easily disregard these people?

 

Third, the panel on trade unions and their role in the 21^st century highlighted the importance of current strike actions, be it in postal services, be it in rail transport. And indeed, there is a kind of renaissance when it comes to trade union strikes. Speakers stressed the importance of these industrial actions being rooted in communities, the historical birthplace of trade unions. One could even go one step further. To make a real impact, these trade union struggles need to link up with climate change struggles by Fridays For Future and Extinction Rebellion or fights against systemic racism such as the Black Lives Matter movement. Are trade unions prepared to move beyond struggles in the workplace and reach out to groups engaged in conflicts in wider society? This remains to be seen.

Fourth, the discussion of what kind of action was appropriate in view of injustice occupied a prominent space at the meeting. Shut Elbit Down is a direct action campaign group, which disrupts and shuts down arms manufacturing by the company Elbit, Israel’s largest privately-owned arms company which makes huge profits from Israel’s attacks on Palestinians. And these direct actions have not been without success. Only four arms factories are still operating, after the one in Oldham and the headquarters in London were shut down. Perhaps such direct action is the way forward in the face of huge injustices? Interestingly, Shut Elbit Down was one of the few organisations, going ahead with their protest actions despite the Queen’s death and funeral.

 

Finally, as inspiring as these discussions were, there can be no doubt that the event did not link up with wider society. As well organized as the whole day was, Rise Up Notts did not attract attention beyond those, who have already been active. Rise Up Notts was not the spark, which ignited more widespread action. Ultimately, it is difficult if not impossible to plan wider uprisings and we are clearly not there yet despite the challenges we are facing. What Rise Up Notts did manage successfully was to nurture the seeds of resistance, ready to come to live when the moment of wider contestation arises. Considering the current implosion of the latest Conservative government, this day may come sooner rather than later!

Andreas Bieler

Professor of Political Economy

University of Nottingham/UK

Andreas.Bieler@nottingham.ac.uk

30 September 2022