This year marks the bicentenary of the Peterloo Massacre: a crucial event in Britain’s difficult path to democracy that is often woefully under-acknowledged.
To commemorate the bicentenary, Make Votes Matter is launching a new report and taking part in a series of events where we will make the case that in memory of those who died at Peterloo, we must continue the fight for real democracy in the 21st Century.
Click here to find out about the Peterloo Massacre - and why it still matters today: https://www.makevotesmatter.org.uk/news/peterloo
Join us at the Peterloo Bicentenary March for Democracy
To commemorate the massacre, Make Votes Matter is forming a bloc at the Peterloo Bicentenary March for Democracy on Sunday 18th August. We will follow one of the routes taken by the Peterloo protestors to march into Manchester, before joining with other organisations for a rally in Albert Square - feet away from the site of the massacre.
The Make Votes Matter bloc will be meeting at Alexandra Park, at the corner of Claremont Road and Smalldale Avenue, at around 11.30am. We will then depart at 12pm to Albert Square for the rally beginning at 1pm.
This promises to be a family-friendly day, with interesting cross-party speakers and entertainment. It will also be a great opportunity to reach out to potential supporters - we will need all hands on deck to hand out our leaflets along the route and to the crowd in Albert Square!
Find out more: https://www.makevotesmatter.org.uk/local-meetings/2019/7/17/peterloo-commemorative-march-and-rally
Sign up on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/388916185316398/
Attend the launch of our new report
After the rally in Albert Square, we will be meeting in Albert Square Chop House for some well-deserved drinks and entertainment - and to launch our brand new report. The report examines:
- the history of the struggle for democracy
- how economic equality has always depended on democratic rights
- democratic inequality in the 21st Century - and its effects on our society
- why we need Proportional Representation to create a society for the many.
Whether you are able to come to the rally or not, we would love to see you for this afternoon - commemorating Peterloo, making the case for PR and discussing how we will succeed. There will be copies of the report available, so you can be among the first to read the case for democratic reform, 200 years on from the Peterloo Massacre.
Confirmed speakers so far include Owen Winter (Make Votes Matter, and author of the report), Ian Hodson (President, BFAWU), and Caroline Osborne (Labour Mobiliser, Make Votes Matter).
Find out more: https://www.makevotesmatter.org.uk/local-meetings/2019/8/18/peterloo-200-the-fight-for-real-democracy-in-the-21st-century
Sign up on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/388916185316398/
I hope to see as many of you there as possible!
Owen and the Make Votes Matter team