THE Young Socialists March for Jobs for Youth and Free State Education reached Stoke last night, after a great weekend.
The march has now completed its first week on the road and there are two weeks left before the Meet the Marchers News Line-Trotsky Anniversary Rally at Queen Mary College in Mile End, east London, on Sunday November 21.
On Saturday, the march set off early for a 20-mile leg from Chesterfield to Mansfield.
Two Chesterfield youth joined for this leg of the march.
Before the march set off, Lara Deveney said: ‘I agree with what you’re saying about the army.
‘I don’t like young people going in the army.
‘Also about people wanting to go to university.
‘It should be free. Even my mum said she’d love to go to university. It should be free for everybody and anybody should be allowed to go.’
At the end of the day’s marching, Lara said: ‘The march was brilliant. It was great.
‘We met new people and signed them up.
‘I don’t want to go back. I want to stay on the march. It’s taught me loads of things as well.
‘Everything you’re campaigning about I agree with 100 per cent.’
Before the march, her friend Josh Ainsworth said: ‘I’m on an apprenticeship at a furniture manufacturer. I’m on a three-week trial.
‘Next week I’ll know if I get a permanent apprenticeship. I hope so.
‘There should be jobs for everyone.
‘I also think the war is wrong. It never solves anything.’
At the end of the day’s marching, Josh said: ‘That was the first march I’ve ever been on.
‘It was tough, and I’ve already got a torn ligament in my foot. But I did it and I’m glad I did.
‘I believe in the things we were chanting.
‘Education should be free and there should be jobs for youth.’
The march passed through several famous former mining towns and villages.
At Clay Cross, Labour councillor and Clay Cross Labour Party branch secretary, Pete Riggott, said of the march: ‘It’s fantastic. The more we get into this government, the better.
‘My wife is disabled and claims her disability living allowance. She has good days and bad days, but she’s going to lose it.
‘There were dozens of pits in and around Clay Cross, but the last one closed in the 1970s.
‘Then our men were transferred over to Markham and other pits and they were the backbone of the miners’ strike.
‘There should have been a general strike in ’84-85, there’s got to be one now.
‘I’m a socialist and we should have had socialism after the First World War, or at least after the general strike of 1926.
‘I wish you all the best and all success.
‘Speaking on behalf of Clay Cross Labour Party, I hope you achieve all your aims and you have all our support.’
Moving on to Tibshelf, more than a dozen local youth joined the Young Socialists and joined the march, chanting its slogans enthusiastically, including: ‘No ASBOs, no curfews! Youth are not criminals!’ and ‘No army recruitment! We won’t fight your wars!’
Ashley Dewey, aged 17, said: ‘People shouldn’t have to pay for education. It’s sick.
‘This government is our enemy.
‘There’s not a single job for young people round here.
‘Also, they put curfews on a lot of us.’
Damian Todd, aged 17, said: ‘I left college three months ago and I’m unemployed.
‘The only jobs available are in the army.
‘There should be proper jobs for everyone, especially the youth.’
Aydi Gent, aged 18, said: ‘I don’t like the government.
‘They attack young people for doing nothing. I think we need a revolution.’
Arriving in Mansfield, scores of youth surrounded the banner and signed up for the Young Socialists.
Ben Allan, aged 16, said: ‘I think this government is terrible, really terrible.
‘It’s taking away money from where it’s needed and giving it to those who don’t, like the bankers.
‘It’s just benefitting the upper classes and hitting the working class.
‘We need a revolution.’
Ian Shaw, a Nottingham council Unison member, bought the News Line and a ticket for the London rally on the 21st.
He said: ‘I know the News Line. I’m a socialist. I think there should be a general strike.
‘But our problem is the union leaderships are too much cushy careerists.
‘There’s a lot of anger out there. There needs to be something to harness it and bring it together.
‘Young people are being marginalised.
‘Here in Nottinghamshire, we’ve had massive cuts. Every worker from Nottinghamshire County Council has received a letter inviting them to volunteer for redundancy.
‘It’s rumoured they want to get rid of 3,000 workers.
‘They’ve put all the care homes up for sale.
‘I’m buying a ticket for your rally and I’ll see you in London.’
David Mee, a journalism student at Sheffield Hallam University, made a special trip to meet the march in Mansfield.
He said: ‘I met one of the marchers in Sheffield on Friday and he told me about the march.
‘I was really interested. I’d just been to a protest on Wednesday organised by Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University against the rising fees.
‘But I agree with the demand of the Young Socialists march – for the abolition of fees.
‘That’s the best way forward.
‘I think it’s disgusting. It’s 2010 now, and we’re living in a so-called civilised country but people are being denied their human rights.
‘Because that’s what education is, and fees are a barrier.
‘I’ve been spreading the word on Facebook and telling all my friends about the march. I think it’s great.’
Today, the marchers are campaigning in Stoke before moving on to Stafford.
