London Follow

A MEMORIAL meeting to celebrate the life of Jim Higgins, the former national secretary of the International Socialists, will take place on Saturday 18 January at 2.30pm. The meeting will be held at Caxton House, 129 St John's Way, London (Archway tube). Speakers will include John Palmer and Roger Protz.

A MAJOR public meeting is planed to support the "Anti-racist Three"-Unison union branch officers in Hackney, east London, who have been suspended by their council management. The attack by the New Labour council has set up a very important battle over racism and union rights.

MARIO O'BRIEN Clarke, a soldier from the Deepcut army barracks in Surrey, was shot dead in Hackney, east London, on Boxing Day. Clarke was the fifth soldier from the barracks to die in suspicious circumstances since 1995.

URGENT SUPPORT is needed for three branch officers of the Unison union in Hackney, east London, who have been suspended by council management. The disciplinary action raises crucial questions for the union movement about racism and union rights.

THE FIGHT for an increase in London weighting for council workers across the capital has reached a crucial phase. The employers have dug their heels in and refused to make any offer. The unions need to respond with more action.

ON THE last Saturday before Christmas an anti-war demonstration of over 60 people marched though the small Wiltshire town of Marlborough. They were cheered by market traders and shoppers. The event was organised by the newly formed Marlborough Peace Group, who intend to organise a coach from the town to the 15 February demo in London.

AROUND 50 people, black and white, gathered in the week before Christmas to show their horror and anger at a racist attack in Hackney, east London. Ahmed Ali, a man of Somali origin, was attacked by three white men who beat him with a metal bar. He was badly wounded and lost the sight of one eye. The protest brought together local trade unionists, members of the community and Somali groups to show their total opposition to racism.

RUN OUT of ideas for Christmas presents? Here's a suggestion from the Evening Standard, self styled voice of Londoners. Dinner for two at the Sketch restaurant is a snip at £450.

A NATIONAL campaign has been launched to protest against attempts to crush the anti-capitalist movement in Italy. Around 80 people demonstrated outside the Italian Embassy in London on Thursday of last week.

THE NATIONAL council of the Socialist Alliance met in London last Saturday, with delegates from local groups across England. Socialist Alliance trade union officer Mark Hoskisson stressed the importance of the crisis facing Labour and how the Socialist Alliance had a key role to play in the debate over the trade union political funds.

CHEERS WENT up in Hyde Park on Saturday as Fire Brigades Union (FBU) national official John McGhee announced, "20,000 people have marched today." The rally was the culmination of a determined march through central London by firefighters, control staff, their families and other trade unionists.

HEARTLESS CREW are one of the leading acts behind the Anti Nazi League's Love Music Hate Racism organisation. They played at the carnival in Manchester in September and at the London launch party on Friday last week.