Let’s press on for more
by Robbie Davidson, Tower Hamlets Socialist Party
Solidarity to ‘Friends of the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club’. Following a successful campaign, which has brought in locals and unions together to reject austerity and gentrification in East London, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club has been granted status as an asset of community value. This will hopefully protect workers, and the drag and queer nights hosted in the venue, going forward.
The fight is not over, however. Supported by the Socialist Party and performing arts union Equity, protesters continue their campaign to raise money for a community purchase.
For us this is not enough. It’s time to put pressure on the council, led by local independent party Aspire, to put money towards a stake in the club, if not purchase it outright. Our venues will only be safe when they belong to working-class locals.
Save Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club
◴ 31st July 2024
by Emily Lyndon, Tower Hamlets Socialist Party
A vital space within the community is at risk of closure following an eviction notice.
Photo: Hugo Pierre
Members of the community showed up to a rally on 29 July to oppose closing the doors on the iconic venue. Speakers ranged from performers, members of performing arts union Equity, and other activists working to save London’s queer spaces.
Speakers shared memories, highlighting the importance of spaces like this for queer people, spaces where all can be free and safe to explore their identities. At a time when LGBTQ+ people are seeing their rights under attack, it is essential to protect and maintain these spaces.
Equity general secretary Paul Fleming called for an end to the capitalist property system that constantly puts communities and venues at risk. He called on residents, workers, and audiences to commit to the campaign to keep venues like this and others safe from the hands of property developers.
A campaign of performers, the local community, and local trade unions could put pressure on the local council – run by local independent party Aspire – to give the venue ‘community asset’ status to retain the building’s use as a venue. Tower Hamlets Council must resist pressure to allow property speculators to redevelop the site into more unaffordable housing.