Birmingham Follow

Brent acadamy Protesters dressed as elephants in Brent, north west London, on Thursday of last week, arguing that plans for a new privately run academy school will create a "white elephant". A conference against academies is set to take place this Saturday 8 October in Birmingham. For details phone 0121 442 2031 or e-mail [email protected]

Porgy and BessGeorge and Ira GershwinOn tour in Malvern, Liverpool, Lowestoft, Birmingham, York and Bournemouth

Paddy Hill: ‘We must defend the Muslim community’ Paddy Hill, one of six Irish men who were framed by the state for the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, spoke to Socialist Worker.

Left wing candidates took two council seats in Birmingham last week. The People’s Justice Party (PJP) gained two councillors in the Bordesley Green ward with Labour taking the third seat. The Liberal Democrats gained all three seats in Aston ward.

Birmingham Over 750 people came to Birmingham Sports Centre last Sunday to hear George Galloway, Salma Yaqoob, Chris Bambery and local activists talk about the need to build Respect.

State of exclusion Seven women from Birmingham recently attempted to take money to a project for needy Palestinian children in the Occupied Territories.

Friday 27 MayPoet Benjamin Zephaniah hosts Moving Forward Together, a film and music benefit night to support the Mikey Powell Campaign for Justice. Doors open 6.30pm, film starts 7.30pm. The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6. More details from 07770 432 439.

Respect had some amazing results in the general election on 5 May, coming second in seats in east London and Birmingham and of course George Galloway’s win in Bethnal Green & Bow.

Salma took second place with a total of 10,498 votes, some 27.5 percent. Godsiff came first with 13,787.

Birmingham The Respect campaign team continues to expand as more and more people are volunteering and canvassing.

Birmingham Teams of volunteers flocked to Salma Yaqoob’s campaign headquarters over the weekend and distributed 3,000 placards around the Sparkbrook & Small Heath constituency. Others spent many hours canvassing, distributing campaign material and organising.

The immense anger at the government and the bosses they gave the Longbridge plant to was visible on the streets of Birmingham last weekend.