Tens of thousands (and probably many more) gathered around Clerkenwell Green (near Farringdon Tube Stop) from 11am onwards, determined to make a very strong and vigorous manifestation of world-wide Working Class consciousness! Communist Parties from all over the world assembled together with Socialists, Social Activists, Campaigners, and various other supporters of the broad political leftwing. May Day is the Day of the International Workers – where the Red Flags of various designs and descriptions are carried with pride – as they represent the ‘blood of the workers’ spilt throughout time fighting for rights and liberation from exploitation. The spirit of ‘togetherness’ and ‘communality’ was palpable as temperatures rose to 20 degrees Celsius. Gee – my beloved partner walked the entire two hour course without once resting, whilst being five months pregnant, and Mei-An (my four year old daughter) marched a respectable distance behind the Red Banner of the London District, Communist Party of Britain. There was also the Revolutionary Communist Group (RCG) and the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB), as well as other important Communist and Socialist entities. Around us, however, was a continuous see of Red! A Catholic priest led the Filipino contingent demanding rights for domestic workers, and a group of men from Kashmir demanded independence from India. The Cubans carried their National Flag with pride, as did the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (MLKP) of Turkey (a member of which – Ivana Hoffmann – died recently fighting ISIS in Syria). As expected, Trade Unions of every kind and every type marched with their banners held high! The whole march was led by an old Routemaster London Bus which parked opposite Trafalgar Square around two hours later. In a time when the rightwing control the media and mislead the vulnerable and the impressionable – events such as this prove that the leftwing is very healthy and very much here. This demonstration of solidarity is a crucial first step in taking back control of our country. We very much appreciated the Comrades who picked myself and my partner Gee of the crowd at Trafalgar Square – and had their photographs taken with me! Your kindness made our day! As Marx and Engels stated – ‘Workers of the world unite – you have nothing to lose but your chains!’
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 