Hackney linking socialism to everyday issues

Saad H, Hackney Socialist Students

Socialist Students members organised a campaign stall near Stoke Newington School & Sixth Form, speaking to students about the issues affecting them. Large groups of students stopped to ask questions, discuss politics, and find out more.

Conversations focused on lack of job opportunities, pressures in education, and that establishment politicians offer little real change. Students showed an interest in socialist ideas, and how collective organisation can provide a way to challenge inequality and give young people a voice.

We distributed our ‘No to Reform – get organised’ leaflet. We oppose Reform’s division. Working-class people, regardless of background, have common interests that can only be advanced through collective action.

Students were particularly receptive to the call for stronger organisation in schools and colleges, including student unions and campaign groups that can fight for affordable and quality meals, accessible trips and activities, democratic rights for students, and support for staff striking for better conditions.

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Tower Hamlets – striking workers and youth getting organised

Adam Gillman, Socialist Students

Staff at St Paul’s Way sixth form have been striking against job cuts. National Education Union (NEU) members were enthused by Socialist Students campaigning to organise school and college students, and were supportive of us leafleting the sixth form.

We held a stall outside to build for the east London youth day of action on 26 July and the international youth walkout on 20 November. 

Students were receptive on the issue of youth unemployment. One had applied for tons of jobs, with no reply.

We spoke in favour of funding public services to ensure high-quality jobs that have trade union-agreed rates of pay. This chimed with students too.

The issue of war also got students taking leaflets. We also had a groups of students taking leaflets after seeing our Socialist paper back page: ‘Fight for our futures, not their wars – youth walkout on 20 November’.

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Waltham Forest protesting racism, climate change, and war

James Ivens, Waltham Forest Socialist Students

There was a good response to our material against Reform and interest in the 20 November international youth walkout at Walthamstow School for Girls. One person, who had taken part in Socialist Students’ anti-Trump walkouts, gave their details and is interested in doing more.

A passerby also gave his details after seeing what we were doing. I was using the slogan – “School students are protesting this year against racism, climate change, and war” – and that got a lot of interest.

Schools have now broken up for the summer. So now we’re campaigning, meeting youth in shopping areas and parks. Then we’ll be back campaigning at schools in September.