Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
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‘Cuban socialism has strengthened my resolve’
Young trade unionist BECKY BOUMELHA joined 300 brigadistas from across the world to celebrate May Day in Cuba – a beacon of peace and equality in a decaying world
Brigade members Becky Boumelha (left) and Frankie Leach carried out two weeks of voluntary agricultural work as part of the international delegation.
ANGUS REID explains the significance of Cuba’s egalitarian in letter and spirit Family Code and the pertinent lessons it holds for democracies anywhere in the world
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NICK WRIGHT considers how the isolation of Israel and a new film on the controversial Italian communist leader are creating new reference points for Italy’s left
CARLOS MARTINEZ says Cuba’s achievements in the face of a criminal blockade are startling, but the island’s future if the United States succeeds in crushing it looks bleak
AMNON BROWNFIELD STEIN reports that far-right MPs who mobbed the event organised by Hadash may have helped raise awareness of the brutality of the Israeli right
THIS May Day I was incredibly privileged to represent my trade union, Unite South East Region, as a delegate on the Cuba Solidarity Campaign young trade unionists’ brigade, whose trip took place in a special anniversary year for the Cuban people — the 60th anniversary year of the Revolution and the 80th anniversary of the CTC (Cuba’s TUC).
Along with 30 other young delegates from Unite, Unison, GMB, RMT and the TSSA — representing more than four million workers in Britain and Ireland — we were part of an international brigade of over 300 trade unionists and activists from 30 countries, an incredible manifestation of international solidarity.
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