A very interesting discussion hosted by Clissold Labour Party branch with Andrew Fisher, Director of Policy for the Labour Party (2016-2019).

This meeting commemorates the Day of Action on 2nd March 1981 which followed the New Cross fire tragedy where 13 young people died at a house party. The fire happened at a time when other black community hubs were being attacked by racists. Demonstrators gave voice to demands from the black community for a proper investigation of the fire, and for justice and closure for grieving families and friends.

In order of appearance, speakers were:

Lucie Scott - BAME Officer: Hackney North and Stoke Newington Labour Party

Diane Abbott MP

Maxie Hayles - Former chair of Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit

Soraya Adejare - Hackney councillor

Patrick Vernon - Activist and social commentator

Shaka Anderson - Lewisham West and Penge Labour Party

Carole Williams - Hackney Council cabinet member

Phil Murphy - Honorary Alderman, ex-Birmingham City Council cabinet member, original member of Labour Party Black Sections.

Sem Moema - Hackney councillor and London North East candidate for GLA

Judy Richards - Co-chair Global African Congress UK

Following the recent Black Lives Matter motion passed by  Hackney  Council and the CLP meeting on BLM in June, this political education meeting on August 27th was to discuss how we put ideas into action.

Speakers included:

Ivy Scott LP member, NEU & Black Educators' Alliance

Judy Richards, Labour member & Chair of Global Afrikan Congress (GAC)

Glenroy Watson RMT Black section Chair & GAC

Delia Mattis, Labour member & BLM Enfield

And our own Diane Abbott MP.