Report from Islington Stand Up To Racism
Following our Stand Up To Racism conference our group had a planning meeting the following week to discuss how to respond to the Calais Winter Appeal.
Twenty two people attended and we agreed to organise the following.
Trade Union work
- A letter is being sent to all the Trade unions in the borough asking them for support for the appeal and the SUTR Trade Union conference in February. The Trade Council have also agreed to send this out in its next mailing.
- Rakhia Ismail a local Labour Councillor is speaking at the forthcoming NEU (NUT) meeting. The Islington NEU has already written to all its members asking them to organise for the appeal in their schools amongst staff and students.
- The appeal is also being raised in the Finsbury Park RMT branch.
- We are attending the Islington Unison Open day on Friday 17th and we hope to ensure that everyone is wearing a SUTR badge or sticker on the day.
- We will also be collecting money for the appeal.
Islington Labour Party
Labour party members in Islington North and Islington South constituencies are raising the appeal at their forthcoming meetings and other members are raising support at ward meetings.
Students
Students who attended the conference from City University and Middlesex University have been in contact with their student unions and are planning a Stand Up to Racism meeting and collections between now and the end of term.
Drop off point for collections.
After our planning meeting several people went away to organise drop off collection points. We now have 2 in the Borough.
Day of action for Calais
We are planning stalls and collections on Saturday 25th November in 2 of the key shopping areas in the Borough where we will be collection money, donations and selling badges and t-shirts for the appeal.
9th December
We have put out a call for transport and volunteers for our delegation to Calais on the 9th December. Names are coming in fast and we have put in a request for a mini bus from youth services that we hope to fill on the day. We are planning a morning send off at 6.30 am at the Town Hall and plan to be on the shuttle at 9.30.