Getting involved with Workers’ Liberty in Newcastle
A month ago, I spontaneously attended my first meeting of Workers’ Liberty and I don’t plan on stopping.
Every few weeks, the Newcastle branch of Workers’ Liberty holds meetings that delve into different topics or issues. The meeting on abortion rights in November 2023 was my first introduction to this group and just a few days ago, I attended another one of their meetings.
Workers’ Liberty, also known as The Alliance for Workers’ Liberty (AWL), is an organisation within the labour movement that fights for a socialist alternative to both capitalism and Stalinism and that is based on common ownership and democracy. And while the Newcastle branch is quite a small group, it offers a welcoming community for those who share the same values and want to get involved in activism in the city.
Exactly a month ago, on the 13th of November 2023, I was walking from a lecture with the intention of buying myself lunch in the Co-op at Newcastle University’s campus. There, hanging on the wall just next to the entrance, something caught my eye. A poster inviting to a public meeting of Workers’ Liberty.
While I was not exactly familiar with the organisation, it was the meeting’s topic that initially captured my interest. ‘The Fight for Abortion Rights’.
The decision to attend was an impromptu one, as this happened just few hours before the meeting’s supposed start. But, because of my set goal for this semester that was to immerse myself in the world of Newcastle’s activism and because this topic has always held a great personal significance to me, I decided to change my plans in order to attend.
Upon arriving at The Lost Wanderer, a pub where the meetings usually take place and that is just a few minutes away from the Haymarket metro, I was warmly welcomed by the attendees and offered a pizza (with a vegetarian option available).
The meeting commenced with a speaker talking about Workers’ Liberty and their position on abortion rights. An opportunity to ask questions and a discussion followed right after.
Workers’ Liberty has a network for women members and strongly advocates for full equality for women. In terms of abortion, their demands include the abolition of term limits and abortion on demand.
After the meeting, I was able to purchase an issue of their socialist feminist magazine, Women’s Fightback, for 3 pounds. The magazine included many articles on abortion, trans rights, history of queer life in the USSR, and so much more! It was a great, informative and at times quite emotional read. Definitely worth the 3 pounds.
Apart from Women’s Fightback, Workers’ Liberty has a weekly Newspaper Solidarity, which is available to read online, or as a paper copy for 50 pens or 1 pound.
After the discussion about the topic, the members and other attendees stayed in the pub for a few pints and an informal chat. During this, I had the opportunity to meet many interesting and like-minded people.
I had a conversation with Ed Whitby, who has been a member of Workers’ Liberty for over 20 years. We talked about the organisation, their beliefs and about activism in general. He had some useful advice for anyone who wishes to get involved.
He said: “Part of it is going out and finding about different campaigns, different groups, and working out what clicks with you. I think sometimes people get involved in a campaign or a group that they just come across and then get disillusioned or disappointed in the fact that they don’t share the same values. So I would say find out about the groups, read about stuff and get involved when you’re convinced.”
Ed also emphasised that protesting is not all that there is.
“I think protesting and other activities like this are very important, but I also think that reading, thinking and understanding about what’s important is a priority.”
After staying for a few pints and chatting with Ed and others, I made my way home feeling very positive about my experience.
Just a week ago, I attended my second meeting, this time on Putin and the short history of his rise to power. This meeting was incredibly informative and provided me with context needed for understanding the current situation in Russia.
Based on these two meetings, I definitely plan on attending more in the future.
The meetings cover a good variety of different topics and issues. For instance, before Putin and the Fight for Abortion Rights, there was a meeting on the environment and on what socialism is. Newcastle’s Workers’ Liberty also offers the opportunity to suggest different topics for their future meetings.
After my experience, I can say that the Newcastle branch of Workers’ Liberty is full of kind and welcoming people, and for those who share the same values and wish to engage in activism in Newcastle upon Tyne, it is a good place to start.
See the poster for next meetings.
To get involved, follow:
or email:
- awl@workersliberty.org
- womensfightback@workersliberty.org
…or simply show up to one of the meetings. Everyone is welcome.
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