Run
Her cover drive and how she ran are now haram under the rule of the Taliban Can she stay in? For sure she can She can’t be out without a man in ancient, new Afghanistan She’d tackle assumptions and she’d … Read more
Issues and campaigns: Asia
The world’s largest and most populous continent
Women footballers escaping the Taliban
Published in Women’s Fightback 26, Autumn/Winter 2021 Kelly Lindsey, former head coach of the Afghanistan women’s football team – and before that, US international player – spoke to supporters before Lewes FC women’s home friendly against West Ham … Read more
Free Zhang Zhan!
China jails citizen journalist for Wuhan reports Four years in jail for citizen reporter Who spread the news from virus-struck Wuhan Her mother cries in court to lose her daughter She showed the world the sickness, did Zhang Zhan So … Read more
Beirut, 4 August 2020
Beirut, 4 August 2020 First came the plume from hangar twelve Cellphone cameras swung around and pointed to preserve, for fear that even worse might happen here Next there came the second blast Flattened buildings, shattered glass raining pain … Read more
1919 – Throwing off the shackles of Empire
Also published on the Workers’ Liberty website here. After Britain and its Allies had won the war, proclaiming themselves champions of freedom and democracy, the people of its imperial possessions stepped up their democratic demand for some of that … Read more
The Pope’s Prayer
In response to the news that the Pope wants to change the words of the Lord’s Prayer … Oppressed people Who art in Myanmar Rohingya be thy name The soldiers come And killing is done Of Muslims As it … Read more
Liberation
Looks like this, does it, liberation? Isolated from supplies, routes closed, blown from the skies Barrel bombs bowled along alleys Enclaved civilians tweet from their graves, farewells from beneath Rubble, the stones where their homes used to be Aleppo cries, … Read more
BoJo Logic
Boris arms the Saudis They use those arms to kill He says if we don’t arm them Then other countries will So when I next see Boris His nuts will meet my knee And if I get arrested Then this … Read more
Solidarity from Iranian Campaigners
I was very pleased to receive this letter … To: Janine Booth, Marxist trade unionist and poet 20 October 2016 Dear Comrade Janine, We heard with great concern about your breast cancer diagnosis. We hope that your treatment goes well … Read more
From Alex, 6 Years Old
On 21 September, the White House published a letter that President Obama had received from six-year-old New Yorker Alex, offering a home to Omran, the Syrian boy whose photo had circulated widely. Please tell the boy in the ambulance To come … Read more
Open letter on disability hate crime in Sagamihara
Sent to The Guardian, which didn’t print it, and to the Morning Star, which did. We are writing in response to the horrific mass attack on disabled people in Sagamihara last week. The growth of hate crime around the world … Read more
Haiku: Unelected
In just two countries Clerics sit in government Iran and Britain
The King Is Dead
A poem on the occasion of the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Royal flag at half-mast flies Forgotten victim sadly sighs Only another despot cries When a bloody tyrant dies The great and good will eulogise Sing loud … Read more
Sonnet for Shahrokh and Reza
Shahrokh Zamani and Reza Shahabi are imprisoned in Iran for organising trade unions. Tragically, Shahrokh died on 13 September 2015 They hold in prison those whom power fears Shahrokh and Reza, Rajai Shahr’s closed doors Lock up these men but … Read more
Israel/Palestine: Speaking for Solidarity not Boycott
This is the speech I gave proposing the resolution on Solidarity With Israeli And Palestinian Workers at RMT’s Annual General Meeting 2008 – followed by my reply to points made in the debate. The anti-boycott policy was superceded by a … Read more
Stop Israel Railways Sacking Arab Workers
In March 2009, Israel Railways, a state-owned company, launched a new policy denying employment to railroad crossing guards who have no permit to carry weapons – that is: who have not served in the Israeli army. This policy will lead … Read more