Social Power

In this episode we looked at trends in the use of law, political responses to it, and changes on the horizon. Whether you are a legal eagle or a total novice, it’s important to know the law is there for you and the communities you work for when it’s needed, but what are some of the things that you need to be aware of?

To answer this, around the table we had, Rita Chadha, Chief Executive of the Small Charities Coalition, Rosemary Harris, Political Campaigner at Friends of the Earth and Chloe Hardy, Director of Policy & Communications at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) 

We covered: changes proposed to the legal system, potential threats to people's rights, the right to protest, charities' role in social change and whether they can be 'too political', changes to judicial review, whether 'judicial activism' is a thing, supporting unpopular or marginalised issues, solidarity across different parts of society, why universal rights and application of the law is essential, the power of small and local, and much more!

SMK’s Law Resource Centre is full free advice and information: www.smk.org.uk/law 

Also find us @smkcampaigners  

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Women’s sport has seen a radical transformation in recent decades. In the early 1980s there were no professional women in any team sport. This summer, millions watched the women’s football world cup in France, and the Lionesses sold out Wembley for the first time. How have we achieved such significant cultural change, how can we continue to close the gap, and what can other campaigners learn from this example?

 

In this episode of Social Power we hear from Ebony Rainford-Brent, a world cup winning English cricketer and broadcaster for the BBC; Kelly Simmons, the FA’s Director of Women's Professional Game; and Sally Hancock, managing partner of Y sport and former chair of the charity Women in Sport.

 

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Extinction Rebellion (XR) say we are in a climate emergency, and that the authorities have failed to respond adequately. Founded only in 2018, it is now a global mass movement. 

So what role does XR play in the wider environmental movement? Despite being a mass movement, is XR really inclusive? And what can other change makers learn from how quickly XR has shifted the dial?

In this special edition of Social Power, recorded right in the midst of the ‘October Uprising,’ we speak to protesters blocking roads in central London, and discuss the movement with Chloe Coradetti from XR, Rashid Nix, a community activist and member of the Green Party, and Alasdair Roxborough from Friends of the Earth.

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In May 2018, Ireland voted with a resounding Yes to repeal the 8th Amendment of its constitution. It paved the way for women to access legal, safe and free abortions. The Together for Yes Campaign has been recognised all over the world for its role in the result.

 

One year on, we welcomed Deidre Duffy, Dr Claire Brophy and Rachel Lavin to share their experiences. They told the story of a referendum that united a nation, after decades of discord on women’s rights.

 

This is a special edition of Social Power was recorded at a half-day event sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust.

 

Related info:

 

Post-event blog: https://smk.org.uk/solidarity-empathy-and-letting-go-of-ego-the-fight-for-abortion-rights-in-ireland/

This is Ireland (24 mins - social history of Ireland from the 1970s to 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB7Ifu4nl0U

When Citizens Assemble (16 mins) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjpuDk9_BWI

 

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Fossil Free UK, and other campaigns aimed at fossil fuel divestment, have swiftly grown into a movement to pull financial investment away from fossil fuel companies. It is the fastest growing divestment campaign of its kind in history, and activists are seeking to pull the ‘social licence’ to operate from oil companies. 

This podcast features Ellen Gibson, the UK Divestment Network Coordinator with 350.org, Sakina Sheikh, a local councillor and divestment campaigner with Platform and Chris Garrard, a composer and Co-Director of Culture Unstained. 

The podcast is introduced by Chloe Hardy and produced by Whistledown Productions. It was recorded in front of an audience at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation. www.smk.org.uk

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The campaign to Save the Joiners Arms, a much-loved LGBTQ+ venue in East London, was launched when developers sought to shut it down to make way for luxury flats. Since then, the Friends of the Joiners Arms have fought to save their venue as an Asset of Community Value and to keep the spirit of the pub alive until it can re-open. 

This podcast features Dwayne Clark, who was involved in the project, John Pierce a local Councillor in the Joiner's Arms' neighbourhood and Liam Barrington-Bush, a community organiser. 

The podcast is introduced by Chloe Hardy and produced by Whistledown Productions. It was recorded in front of an audience at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation. www.smk.org.uk

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In 2013 a major piece of legislation was passed by the British Parliament. It legalised marriage for same sex couples in England and Wales - the result of several decades of activism.

This podcast features Peter Tatchell who coordinated the Equal Love campaign, Benjamin Cohen of Pink News and Lib Dem peer Liz Barker.

The podcast is introduced by Chloe Hardy and produced by Whistledown Productions. It was recorded in front of an audience at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation. www.smk.org.uk

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