Stop the War and PSC will benefit from another successful fundraising Garden Party

What's going on beyond the borders?

Rachel Rose Reid, storyteller, entertains

Brent Stop the War and Brent & Harrow Palestine Solidarity Campaign held another successful fundraising garden party on Sunday. Local residents and activists turned out to enjoy the food and entertainment. Apart from Brent StW and Brent PSC there were members of the Labour Party, Green Party and SWP present. I am not sure about the Lib Dems this year, but some usually attend.

It is always good to see how political differences can be sunk in aid of a good cause.

The fundraiser attracted people from other parts of London including Jeremy Corbyn MP.

Truce called as election opponents unite against UKIP's racism

 

Supporters of the various parties and campaigns fightinfgthe elections in Brent took time off this afternoon to unite against the racist and Islamophobic views of Heino Vockrod, UKUP candidate for Dudden Hill, revealed by the Kilburn Times LINK 

Labour leader Muhammed Butt, was joined by Pete Murry of the Green Party, Sarah Cox of SWP and TUSC, Alex Colas of Make Willesden Green, and L:ucy Cox of TUSC.

Leaflets urged residents to use their vote to keep out UKIP in the upcoming local and European elections.

Cllr Butt with the welcome message at Neasden Shopping Centre

Wembley Matters is taking a break

Wembley Matters is taking an Easter break for  a couple of days

Its break will only be interrupted by major news such as Cllr Muhammed Butt joining the SWP, Francis Henry ousting Paul Lorber as leader of  Brent Liberal Democrats, Brent Conservative councillors becoming coherent, Brent Greens supporting Quintain's plans for a nuclear power station in the Civic Centre car park or Lorraine King organising a 'no shopping'  boycott of the London Designer Outlet.

The break will also provide a ceasefire in the Kensal Rise 'Comment Wars' taking place on this blog. Time for reflection and relaxation...

Brent united against racist estate agents

Following the revelations by the BBC that two Brent estates agents were amongst those who operated a colour bar on lettings to Black people, there was a demonstration at short-notice in Willesden Green today.

There was a picket outside National Estate Agents and then a march  along the High Road to A-Z Estate Agents,  The demonstration was joined by some Labour councillors, several of the parliamentary hopefuls for the Brent Central nomination, the Socialist Workers Party, the Green Party, Brent Housing Action, the Counihan Campaign, Unit the Community, Brent TUC, Brent Fightback and many independent activists including Alex Colas who has launched an independent Make Willesden Green campaign for the local elections.

Khuran Siab and Kevin Smith

The protest was joined by Khuran Siab and Kevin Smith of the Willesden Green branch of Harts. They said that they were disgusted when they heard about the racial discrimination, which they had thought was a thing of the past, and had decided to make a stand.

Protesters and the public were reminded by Sarah Cox that such discrimination had been outlawed since 1975. There were chants of 'United we stand, divided we fall; an injustice against one, is an injustice against all'  and 'No colour bat - shut them down'.

Robin Sivapalan of Brent Housing Action, told the protesters that Cllr Butt, leader of the Brent Council, had said he would be talking to Brent Council Trading Standards about possible action against the offending estate agents.

The demonstration drew immediate warm support from local people and cars slowed down so that the drivers could take a leaflet.  It was heartening to see the community once again united against racism.

Although action  must be taken against such letting agents and landlords it is really the housing shortage that needs to be tackled so that people aren't left dependent on the private sector. We need new social housing  with affordable rents - not luxury developments such as that at Willesden Green Library on the market to foreign investors.

BBC London News Report HERE