Readings of Protest. Charged – How the Police Try to Suppress Protest.

18 October 2022 @ 8:00 PM 10:00 PM BST

Come and hear protesters from across four decades give readings of what they fought for and how their protests were policed.

The UK government’s efforts to suppress dissent in the pursuit of power have given a green light to police to apply more aggressive tactics in managing crowds and protests. The results have provoked violence and even led to officers breaking the law.

The authors of Charged, Matt Foot and Morag Livingstone reveal that in 1983 a Tory home secretary secretly sanctioned police paramilitary powers, leading 40 years later to a Police Act which seeks to extinguish any effective protest.

Join activists and organisers from Sheffield and beyond who come together to share their experiences fighting for their jobs, the environment, education and against racism. Giving us insight into their experiences the activists will connect their own struggle to the policing of protest.

Including activists from:

Warrington Printers dispute 1983
The Great Miners’ strike 1984/5 – Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) / Women against Pit Closures
The Rotherham 12 who defended their community against racist thugs
Environmental and global justice activist
Student activist / Disabled People Against Cuts.
Chaired by local activist, Chris Peace.

Charged How the Police Try to Suppress Protest by Matt Foot and Morag Livingstone (Verso 2022)

“Brilliantly readable, it carries you with it every step of the way. One forgets how frightening authority is and the detail on police behaviour is dreadfully shocking and distressing. It never assumes what you might believe or what you might already know and at the end leaves the reader in no doubt as to what has happened in this country.”
– Emma Thompson, actor and activist

“Meticulously details violent state suppression in the protection of capital; backed by a propaganda machine. Exposed is the unofficial but permanent government with sharp attention to every detail. This is a story of how justice has been repeatedly stolen in this ruthless war against the right to protest. Read every word because you are holding history in your hands. Our history.”
– Lowkey, rapper and activist

“When you read Charged, you will see ours is one of many struggles, past and present.”
– Chris Peace, Tribune

Books will be available on the night

£5 Suggested Donation

Sheffield Transformed

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La Biblioteka

61 Eyre Lane
Sheffield, S3 8LN United Kingdom
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07522010803

My Name Is Why by Lemn Sissay

18 June 2022 @ 8:00 PM 10:30 PM BST

Part historical, part political but most of all – hugely inspirational.

Acclaimed British author Lemn Sissay OBE – a BAFTA-nominated, International prize-winning writer, poet, playwright and broadcaster – will keep the audience enthralled with this scoop of an event for Sheffield and Migration Matters Festival.

He will share his rollercoaster life story and read powerful extracts from his Sunday Times best-selling memoir, My Name is Why.

The book reflects on his childhood in care, self-expression and Britishness, and in doing so, exploring the institutional care system, race, family and the meaning of home.

This event will also feature a set by Sarah Orola

The Land of Many Waters flows through me. My words transcend boundaries and give voice to a nation. Born in Ireland to parents of Nigerian and Guyanese descent has given me a beautiful yet complex insight into my diverse world.

My journey of self-awareness is heavily reflected in my poetry. Scribbling my thoughts on paper and bringing those words alive has helped me explore my afro-caribbean identity to share with others.

£12 / £10 (conc.) / £3 (stream) / Free

Migrstion Matters Festival

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Montgomery Theatre

27 Surrey Street, England, S1 2LGUnited Kingdom (map)
Sheffield, South Yorkshire S1 2LG United Kingdom
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