Nottingham Indymedia: 'mayday'

Another controversial May Day in Nottingham

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:59:37 +0000

Notts Trade Union Council organised a march and rally in Nottingham to mark international workers’ day on Saturday 4th May. Trade unionists, anti-cuts activists, socialists and anarchists marched from the Forest Rec to Market Square where speeches were given. The tradition of dissent within the local labour movement continued where it left off last year, with both the prominence of Nottingham South Labour MP, Lillian Greenwood, and Socialist Workers Party loyalist, Richard Buckwell, being contested. Dissenters accused Greenwood of being a “scab” and “Just another Labour drone” whereas Buckwell was condemned for his support of the SWP Central Committee’s handling of rape allegations, leading one participant to conclude that the event was “not a safe space”.

Newswire: Mayday Events 2 Rally | Mayday Events 1 Parade | Nottingham Mayday - not a safe space | Petition urges Trades Council to think again | How the grinch stole May Day

Previous features: Anti-Labour party protest at Nottingham May Day | Mayday 2011 in the East Midlands

Mayday Events 2 Rally

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:19:56 +0000

11.00am Saturday 4th May 2013

"May the fourth be with you!"

Gathering on the Forest ground, people assembled for the annual parade and rally.

Mayday Events 1 Parade

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:13:11 +0000

11.00am Saturday 4th May 2013

"May the fourth be with you!"

Gathering on the Forest ground, people assembled for the annual parade and rally.

How the grinch stole May Day

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:38:51 +0000

About a year ago, Nottingham's May Day events became the source of much controversy after Notts Trades Council decided to invite New Labour MP, Alan Meale. The decision to invite Meale, an MP whose role in Parliament seemed to have been to facilitate the war-mongering, authoritarian and anti-migrant policies of the Blair government, was strongly opposed before and during the event.

In the aftermath, Notts Trades Council allies, such as Pete Radcliffe of the Alliance for Workers' Liberty, publicly sought to distance themselves from the Labour party. However, the Notts Trades Council were privately toadying up to Meale and the Labour party whilst slandering those who protested as anti-trade union.

In the run up to this year's May Day, it seems appropriate to make public the Trades Council's private statement to Meale, so that trade unionists and activists in Nottingham have an understanding of what kind of people and politics are running the show:

Anti-Labour party protest at Nottingham May Day

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:21:58 +0000

Nottingham’s May Day events were the scene of controversy after protesters prevented Sir Alan Meale, the Labour MP for Mansfield, from speaking. Meale’s invitation to speak at the Notts Trades Union Council organised rally had already sparked condemnation in the run up to the day concerning his alleged support for “anti-working class” politics and his expenses claims. Protesters used whistles, heckles and placards to prevent Meale from speaking. Estimates of the numbers ranged from 200-500 trade unionists, socialists and anarchists. They marched from the Forest to the Congregational Hall for the rally. The day was also marked by demonstrations against workfare.

On the newswire: Nottingham May Day – one anarchist’s perspective | Troops on streets for Nottingham May Day | Alan Meale should not speak on May Day Pictures: 1 Mayday March & Event | 2 Mayday Speeches & Event | 3 Mayday Events, Anti-Labour Protest | 4 Mayday Workfare Protests

Previous Mayday coverage: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2004 | 2003

Nottingham May Day - one anarchist's perspective

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:25:28 +0000

This year Notts Trades Council decided to organise a march and rally for May Day. Amongst the expected representatives of trade unions and activist groups, their star speaker was to be Sir Alan Meale, Labour MP for Mansfield and loyal Blairite. This, unsurprisingly, caused a lot of controversy in the run up to the event. A march of a few hundred trade unionists, socialists and anarchists went from the Forest to the Congregational Hall for the rally. A number of speakers from trade unions and Notts Uncut spoke, but Meale was prevented from speaking by vocal protests and an intervention with placards. Many trade union leaders were furious and used physical and verbal aggression in an attempt to end the demonstration. After the rally, Autonomous Nottingham organised a demonstration against workfare in the city centre.

Troops on streets for Nottingham May Day

Sat, 05 May 2012 15:22:36 +0000

On Saturday 5th May, in a bizzare juxtaposition of trade unionism and militarism, the Trades Council-organised May Day parade and soldiers from 73 Engineer Regiment both marched through Nottingham city centre.

Mayday 2011 in the East Midlands

Wed, 04 May 2011 19:04:57 +0000

May 1st has been marked as a celebration on international working class movements for over a century. Nottingham held a march and rally, starting at Victoria Park in Sneinton on April 30th. Elsewhere in the East Midlands, Derby held its annual commemoration of the Silk Mill lockout on April 30th and Chesterfield held a Mayday march and rally on Monday May 2nd.

On the newswire: Chesterfield Mayday 2011 | Nottingham Mayday 2011 | Mayday Events, Victoria Park Nttm

Previous Mayday coverage: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2004 | 2003

Chesterfield Mayday 2011

Tue, 03 May 2011 09:33:34 +0000

On Monday May 2nd, Chesterfield held its annual Mayday demonstration.

Nottingham Mayday 2011

Tue, 03 May 2011 07:44:32 +0000

On Saturday April 30th, Nottingham celebrated International Worker's Day.