Stand by Maduro!

Tariq Ali denounces US coup attempt

 by New Worker correspondent

Over 200 people joined a rally at the National Education Union head office near Kings Cross in London last Thursday to build solidarity with the Bolivarian government of Venezuela against the latest assault by US imperialism and its allies.

Tony Burke, chair of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and Assistant General Secretary of Unite, conveyed greetings from Len McCluskey, and from unions in the US and Mexico. He said Washington was planning to declare a sponsor of terrorism, and demanded “let there be no more Pinochets in Latin America”.

Christine Blower of the National Education Union quoted the new Brazilian preisdent Jair Bolsonaro as saying that “Pinochet didn’t kill enough people”.

Kate Hudson for CND pointed out that the US has 76 bases in Latin America and the Caribbean, and that in May last year Colombia became NATO's first Latin American global partner, as NATO evolves into a global rather than trans-Atlantic military bloc.

Colin Burgon of Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America said that Venezuela was under attack “because it is a cornerstone of progressive Latin America”.

He pointed out that shortly after tragic the death of Hugo Chavez, oil prices had dropped from $100 to $30 a barrel, hitting the Venezuelan economy.

Burgon quoted John Bolton, Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser telling Fox News last week: “We are in conversations with major oil companies to produce Venezuelan, oil which is good for Venezuela and good for the US”.

Many other speakers, including the writer and film-maker Tariq Ali, also spoke at a time when major solidarity actions are being mobilised in Britain.

Anger was also expressed at the Bank of England joining the seizure of Venezuelan assets in Britain at Washington’s behest, in response to which a protest at the bank has been organised.

An Indian Home from Home in London

By New Worker correspondent

A new National Trust exhibition opens in London this week, shining a light on the rich social history of one of the city’s most fascinating community spaces: The India Club.

Founded shortly after Indian independence by Krishna Menon, President Nehru and Lady Mountbatten, the India Club is perhaps better known for its close links with the India League that campaigned for the end of British rule in the sub-continent.

The Club itself was established to “promote and further Indo-British friendship” and quickly became a vibrant hub for a growing Indian community in London. With one of the earliest Indian restaurants in London, the India Club soon gained a reputation far beyond the Asian community. Although no longer a club, the restaurant and bar is still frequented by Indian diplomats, students and journalists.

Based around a newly-formed archive of oral history interviews carried out by National Trust volunteers, this small audio-based exhibition will provide visitors with the opportunity to engage with the lives and stories of those who considered the Club a ‘home-away-from-home’ from the late 1950s to the present day.

From 30^th January a new National Trust exhibition will be hosted in the ‘club’ itself, in the modest Hotel Strand Continental, allowing one the unique opportunity to drink in the atmosphere of this living history. Immerse yourself in the interactive audio exhibits and hear the first-hand stories of people connected with The India Club: from freedom fighters and descendants of its founding members to former staff, BBC reporters who worked in nearby Bush House, as well as artists and writers.

This exhibition at the India Club, 143 The Strand, London WC2R 1JA. It is free but you must book a timeslot in advance. Please note that although the India Club restaurant and bar may be open until late, the exhibition opens and closes at different times throughout the week. Tickets can be reserved via the National Trust website and further details can be obtained by calling (0)7780 004243 during working hours.

Cuban National Day in London

By New Worker correspondent

Teresita Vicente welcoming guests

New Communist Party leader Andy Brooks joined diplomats, businessmen and solidarity workers at a celebration to mark Cuba’s National Day in London last week. Cuba’s Ambassador in London, Teresita Vicente Sotolongo, highlighted Cuba’s long relationship with Britain, which began with the brief occupation of Havana and other parts of the island during the Seven Years War with Spain in the 18^th century.

Britain maintained diplomatic relations with the socialist island throughout the Cold War and British–Cuban trade has thrived in recent years, boosted by the efforts of the Cuban tourist industry to attract more visitors from Britain and the rest of the European Union (EU).

Last November Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel stopped over in London following talks in China, Democratic Korea, Laos and Vietnam. There, he held talks with the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and members of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign. and paid tribute to Karl Marx at a ceremony at the Marxist thinker’s tomb in Highgate.