Update on Goldsmiths Week of Climate Action – Next Stop FRIDAY 27 Sept, Lewisham Climate Assembly

Thanks to everyone who came to the rally and protest march on 20 September. It was a tremendous success, and we even had a surprise visit from UCU President Jo Grady, who gave a terrific speech at the midday rally. Other speakers included Duncan Morrison (Lewisham NEU), Nicola Hogan (Goldsmiths Estates), Lynsey German (Stop the War), Sharon Daley (Goldsmiths Unison), Ros Gray (Goldsmiths UCU), Maud Waret (Goldsmiths Student), Dinalva Tavares (Goldsmiths Student) and Shela Sheikh (Goldsmiths UCU). The speeches addressed climate breakdown and the local air pollution crisis, many emphasizing environmental racism, climate justice, and the crucial role of trades union action on environmental issues to fight for a just transition at Goldsmiths and beyond. The rally also featured music organised by Sharon Daley (Unison), including songs performed by Sharon and Lizzie Shirley.

In the afternoon, Goldsmiths staff and students were joined by NEU members and their families for a March along New Cross Road against air pollution in Lewisham, with speakers including James Kerr (Lewisham NEU), Adam Abdullah (Young Major of Lewisham), Kirstie Paton (NEU NEC) and Sarah Callaway (BAME officer, Hampstead and Kilburn Labour Party), who discussed the air pollution crisis in Lewisham, the need to resist attempts by Academies to bully parents and school strikers, and global south action on climate emergency.

Building on the success of these events, we encourage GUCU members to participate in the Lewisham Climate Emergency Assembly, Friday 27 September, 5.00pm-7.30pm, organised by GUCU, Unison, SU and Lewisham NEU. The Lewisham Climate Emergency Assembly is open to everyone in Lewisham, and young people are especially welcome.

Speakers include: Sakina Sheikh (Lewisham Labour councillor and works for Platform), Adam Abdullah (Lewisham Young Major), Alex Kelbert (Black Lives Matter UK), Liam Geary Baulch (Climate activist and former Goldsmiths student), Habiba Kamara (Goldsmiths student) and (tbc) Tatiana Garavito Ibanez (Goldsmiths student and Wretched of the Earth).

Workshop discussions in small groups to share ideas for further actions on air pollution and climate emergency in Lewisham and draw up a Climate Emergency Charter for Lewisham.

Networking opportunities and refreshments of vegetarian food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Earlier in the day there will also be A Critical Ecologies workshop –

Air Pollution, Toxicity and Local Agency Friday 27 September, 1pm–4.30pm 

https://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=12802

https://criticalecologies.gold.ac.uk (please sign up here for mailing list)

https://www.facebook.com/CriticalEcologies/

Will questions of global warming, environmental justice, colonial dispossession, climate migration, nuclear cultures, media geology and e-waste from an arts and humanities perspective that takes scientific research and practices seriously. The stream formalizes connections between existing areas of research and practice by bringing together established environment-focused initiatives from across Visual Cultures/Research Architecture; Anthropology; Art; Sociology; Media, Communications & Cultural Studies; Computing; and English & Comparative Literature to develop collaborations, funding bids, and curricula. Our core aspiration is to evolve new academic platforms capable of shaping public debate.