On Monday morning, a protest took place on the doorstep of the home of the Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland in Wroughton, Borough of Swindon. The protesters demanded the immediate release of all incarcerated people from the unsafe conditions in which they are being held in prisons, detention centres and psychiatric hospitals, in
Tag: coronavirus
Notes from the US
Freedom’s long-running US correspondent Louis Further does his monthly roundup of some of the lesser-known stories that have emerged over the last few weeks. Last month’s ‘Notes’ were long and depressing. So let’s make this month’s shorter. But – alas – depressing. It’s harder and harder to escape the conclusion that – because
From dystopia to utopia: some thoughts on the confinement in France
I don’t think we’re ever going to get to utopia again by going forward.” – Ursula K. Le Guin, 1982 For many people in the world, in the last three months, things have become normal that until very recently would have seemed like science fiction. That several states have seriously considered digital “Immunity Passports” which
Lessons from COVID-19: How transformative justice and mutual aid can help to address harm in communities
This article was originally published on the Transforming Society blog. Download the guide ‘How to Address Harm: A Guide for COVID-19 Mutual Aid Groups’ for information, tools and practical tips to help individuals and mutual aid groups. When UK government policy swung to a police-enforced lockdown on 23 March we were told that if we
Coronavirus and your right to stay away from work
On Sunday evening, Boris Johnson declared that it was time for the people of England to get back to work. In a characteristically unclear statement, the millionaire PM said: “We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to
Contribute to the Mayday Rooms Pandemic Notes Archive
“We need to create the place we’ll meet again. But we need to remember what this was” The above quote is taken from some graffiti spotted on the streets and walls of Athens early on in the Covid-19 crisis. You might remember those days. Everyone seemed on the edge of a panic that was very
Food, poverty, mutual aid: Reflections from Birmingham solidarity kitchen
According to a recent report by The Food Foundation, 1.5 million people have reported going an entire day without food due to poverty during the coronavirus crisis. This is as sickening as it is unsurprising. Ten years of brutal austerity had already left millions living pay-check to pay-check before the shuttering of the economy. Now,
Government quietly introduces new lockdown restrictions
At 11am yesterday (Wednesday 22.04.20), the government quietly tightened lockdown restrictions across England. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 amends the previous statutory instrument (SI. 2020/350) that forms the legal basis for lockdown measures, most notably the restrictions on freedom of movement. As I have detailed previously in these pages, the legal
Mutual Aid Groups: Five reflections for ‘Activists’ going local for the first time
Inspired by Anna Kleist‘s hot takes on an initial few weeks of local mutual aid organising in the UK, I was inspired to throw in a few (slightly longer!) additional reflections, building on some of the points in Anna’s list, and bringing a few more to the surface. They come from some early experiences of
Listen up sanes: the intersection of policing and healthcare is nothing new
On March 25th the Coronavirus Act 2020 received Royal Assent and became law. The contents of this ‘emergency bill’ are wide in scope: they cover increased police powers, changes to health and social care legislation, postponement of elections, changes in burial procedure and changes in statutory sick pay, amongst other measures. The next day Health