Next Oxford and Thames Valley SWP meeting - all welcome
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The opium of the masses?
Marxism and religion
7PM Wednesday 23rd September
New Road Baptist Church, Bonn Square, Oxford, OX1 1LQ
or join via zoom https://oxfordswp.org.uk/zoom
Marx infamously called religion ‘the opium of the people’, but that is only part of the story. He also called it the ‘heart of a heartless world and the soul of soulless conditions’.
And the one time a genuine Marxist party did take power – in Russia in 1917 – atheism was never included in the Bolsheviks’ programme. Indeed, they welcomed left wing believers into the communist parties.
So what is the actual Marxist analysis of religion, its roots and its role in our society today?
Come and join the discussion.
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Restore, Reform & the street movement: the changing face of the British far right // Online briefing with Richard Donnelly, senior researcher for Stand Up to Racism
Tues 29 Sept 6.30pm / register for link
Reform UK continue to ride high in the polls, despite the scandals. Danny Tommo has attempted to launch a new far right street movement in Dover and Portsmouth, building on the mobilisations led by Tommy Robinson over the last few years. And Restore Britain, led by Rupert Lowe, have popped up overnight with a significant electoral base - while welcoming known fascists and neo-Nazis into their organisation.
What are the different formations on the far right, and what kind of danger do they pose? Join this online briefing and Q&A with far right researcher Richard Donnelly to explore the changing face of the British far right - and how we stop them.
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In the last few years, we have seen a shocking growth of the far right spreading fear, division, and hatred.
The far right are constantly trying to whip up racism against Muslims, migrants and refugees. This has lead to repeated outbreaks of racist protests and violence including the pogroms in Belfast, Glasgow and Southampton - and now the fascist paramilitary style mobilisations of the Patriot Platform in Dover and Portsmouth.
The far right are following Trump's lead by calling for mass deportations, including removal of Indefinite Leave to Remain for people who have every right to live in the UK.
We urgently need a movement that can challenge the growth of racism and the far right.
In March Stand Up To Racism worked with artists and hundreds of organisations to support the Together Alliance march - bringing 500,000 people together in a massive show of unity against the far right.
Stand Up To Racism is now building the same kind of unity in local communities across the country.
Join this peaceful unity march to say the far right do not speak for us and we will unite to celebrate our diverse communities and reject all attempts at racist divide and rule.
It is by us all uniting together that we can win.
We want to show how proud we are to live in Oxfordshire because of its cultural diversity. We want a day of hope, peace, unity, and fun - to show that there is an alternative to the racism and despair of the far right.
Join us on Saturday October 17th.
Invite your union or campaign group to support this show of unity against racism the far right in Black History Month. Email us here if you want to help build this event.
Let's create a huge turnout to show that unity will triumph over hate and division.
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People vs Palantir - International Day of Action
Brought to you in collaboration with Global Justice Now, Good Law Project, Health Workers for a Free Palestine, Just Treatment, Keep Our NHS Public, MedAct, Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK, Pull the Plug and We Own It.
On Thursday 1st October, patients, NHS workers and activists across England are taking action to say NO to Palantir in our NHS.
Oxford action 4-5:50PM - meet corner London Rd/Old High St, Headington for petitioning and leafleting.
Palantir is a US software company whose tools are currently used by the Israeli military as they commit genocide against Palestinians in occupied Gaza.
Palantir also supplies ICE with tools that are used to track and surveil migrants in the US.
In 2023, NHS England awarded a £330 million contract to Palantir to provide a new data platform.
On 3 June 2026, the cross-party House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee called for the government to terminate NHS England's contract with Palantir because the company supports 'highly controversial policies and activities'.
A company profiting from such grave human rights abuses should have no role in our health system or wider public sector. Our message is clear – No Palantir in our NHS.
Coordinated with a global movement of activists across North America, South America, Europe and Australia, we’re all showing up on one day to demand an end to all contracts and partnerships with Palantir.
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Labour hoped that its recent shift in tone over Palestine would win back voters—and rebuild the legitimacy that the Western “liberal order” and Israel have lost.
But the response from the Israel’s far right leadership has deepened the crisis and opened up opportunities for the Palestine movement.
Understanding the shift—and its limitations—is key if our side is going to capitalise on the civil war in theirs.
Britain was among 12 Western states, including France and Canada, to say it wouldn’t trade with settlements that are illegal under international law. Labour foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced limited sanctions in the House of Commons this week.
Read more here
The vast majority of people want an end to the crisis in the Middle East. British people have played a major role in the mass opposition to Israel's war on Gaza and the Palestinians. The strength and size of the Palestine movement here has inspired activists the world over. We must keep up the pressure and ensure the protest on 10 October is huge.
This demonstration is part of a global day of protest in support of Palestine. Make sure you are part of it and get organising in your union branch and community now! Please bring your trade union banner on the day.
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On 28 March, half a million people marched together against the far right
We’ve shown the country that the politics of hate do not speak for all of us.
But the local election results and the recent pogroms and racist riots in Belfast, Glasgow and Southampton are a wake-up call that our work is nowhere near done. Across the country, the far right is growing louder and more organised.
Those who push a message of racism and hate are getting more confident – and we will not stand back and watch it happen.
On Saturday 24 October, thousands of people will gather in London to organise, collaborate, and build the future together as part of two summits – North and South.
A space for organisers, campaigners, trade unionists, activists, creatives, educators, community leaders and local people to organise, collaborate and share strategies about how we stop the far right.
This is not a conference for people who sit back and listen.
It is a summit to build power and plan action.
Help us plan, organise and build together against the far right in local communities across the country.
Save the date and book your place.
Book seats on the Oxfordshire transport
Stay tuned for speaker announcements and more details soon.
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