Northern Region, RCPB(ML)

Today, July 9, the proud members of the working class movement, especially in the northern region and beyond, are gathering in their thousands in Durham once again. Today, to the joy of everyone, the streets of Durham will be once again be packed as people march with colliery banners and others, to the sound of brass band music. Later, thousands will attend the Big Meeting, where the strikes and struggles of the RMT and other workers will mark building the workers' opposition to the political control of the rich and to defend the rights of all.

DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum

This year the Durham Miners Association (DMA) announced that the Durham Miners Gala, which had been cancelled for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be dedicated to key workers. The DMA has been working with trades union branches across the country to bring people into Durham, and is calling on people to gather in greater numbers than ever before in support of the country's key workers. These include carers, bus and train and other transport staff, delivery workers and nurses, shop staff and teachers; all sections who have risked their lives to keep society functioning throughout the pandemic will be celebrated.

DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said: "The Gala has been at the heart of the cultural life of the people of the Durham coalfield area for more than 150 years. The Gala has also been a rallying point to fight for social justice throughout its long history. We dedicate this year's Gala to the workers of this country. As the pandemic made so clear, it is they our society truly needs. Our key workers will be centre stage, and I urge everyone to join us in Durham in a massive demonstration of our support."

So many in the working class and people's movements have been preparing to bring their banners that represent the fight today, the fight for the rights of the working class and people. They come fresh from the TUC march to demand better, to defend workers' rights, and to show that the working class and people are intensifying their struggles in the face of the assault on these rights. They are declaring that enough is enough, and hailing the example currently set by the rail workers in the forefront of this fight. People everywhere are fighting for their livelihoods, their pensions, their health care and public services. They are also opposing outrageous racist deportations. They are opposing the warmongering, lies and disinformation of those in power in order to expose and reveal that the Anglo/US-led NATO proxy war against Russia is what is threatening peace in Europe. In opposition, it is the working class and people who continue to take stands and actions for peace.

The Gala itself this year has said No to the Westminster cartel party system by not inviting speakers from Parliament and inviting only those who speak out for key workers. The Gala reflects the new mood of the working class and people to speak out for themselves and their collectives, in their own name and elaborate their solutions to empower themselves as a workers' opposition to the political control of the rich. It is a step towards workers becoming worker politicians with their own independent programme, a programme for a new direction for the economy in order to serve the people's interests, a programme to place the control of political affairs in the hands of working people.

Further build the collectives of the working class as a workers' opposition to the political control of the rich! Every step is a victory!
Fight for an Anti-War Government!

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