THE STOP the War Coalition is holding rallies across Britain in the build-up to the 28 September demonstration. Here are just some of them. For more details of what's happening in your area phone 07951 235 915.
COUNCIL workers' unions last week reaffirmed their determination to fight for higher London weighting allowances for the capital's council workforces. Unless the employers come up with a satisfactory offer another one-day strike could be called later in September.
THOUSANDS OF people lined the streets of central Manchester last Saturday to celebrate the Mardi Gras gay and lesbian festival, despite the poor weather and threats of cancellation. The police, backed by Manchester's Labour council, had refused to allow more than one street in Manchester's gay village to be designated for drinking alcohol.
ANTI-RACISTS held a speak-out against racism, organised by the Anti Nazi League, on Eltham High Street, south east London, on Saturday. It followed two more serious racist attacks. Two weeks ago a 14 year old black boy was hospitalised with a broken jaw after he was attacked and racially abused by a white man in his twenties.
Sunday 1 September, 11am, march from Manchester town hall, Albert square, to carnival at Platt fields park. For details phone the ANL on 020 7924 0333
SOUTH AFRICAN workers, landless labourers, campaigners and activists are preparing a massive demonstration outside the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. Inside the plush corridors of the conference complex in Sandton, surrounded by police and barbed wire, politicians and businessmen will be meeting from Monday.
THE UNITED States has accelerated its military build-up in the Gulf. According to the New York Times the US Pentagon has hired ten cargo ships to transport helicopters, armoured vehicles and other weapons in preparation for an attack on Iraq.
THE GOVERNMENT has scrapped its plans to force owners of private care homes to improve conditions for elderly residents. Instead health secretary Alan Milburn is allowing private homes to stay as they are, no matter what the conditions. Elderly people in private homes often face miserable conditions and neglect.
THE SPATE of disputes involving journalists is accelerating, with strikes and ballots for action this week from London to Yorkshire and Scotland.
AROUND 120 people demonstrated outside the South African embassy in London last week in solidarity with 87 people who went on trial in Johannesburg. The accused included Trevor Ngwane who was interviewed in Socialist Worker last week.
AROUND 5,000 members of the civil servants' PCS union in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are preparing to ballot on industrial action.
