Politics

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Sheffield protests against Trump inauguration

Protesters built a cardboard wall in Sheffield city centre as part of a demonstration against the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. Boxes were lined up in front of speakers outside Sheffield Town Hall to symbolise Trump’s plan for a border wall with Mexico. The gathering, organised by people and groups including Sheffield Stop the War Coalition, Stand Up To Racism and Black Lives Matter, was one of many similar protests across the world as the presidential inauguration got underway. Sham Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Charity worker, “people need action not only words”

Prime Minister, Teresa May has outlined plans to tackle what she described as the “hidden injustice” and stigma of mental illness. The PM said there will be additional training for teachers, an extra £15m for community care, and a £67.7m investment into online services such as self-checks to help diagnose mental health in its early stages so surferers can get the help they need. Mrs May’s speech comes as she outlined her plans to use the state to create a “shared society”. Tim Jones is the founder of Sheffield mental health action group, a charity organisation where mental health surferers meet to socialise.

 

Palestine campaigners call to boycott HP in Sheffield protest

Members of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign picketed the Staples store, Eyre Street, in a call to stop the sale of HP products, part of a wider boycott campaign to defend Palestinian rights. Campaigners claim HP is providing technologies to the Israeli government that are used in oppressive practices and in breach of international law. Invited to comment, an HP spokesperson said: “HP has been strongly committed to socially responsible business practices throughout its 75 year history. It is not our policy to take sides in political disputes between countries or regions. Instead, we focus on making the best products we can to help improve the lives of people around the world.” Sham Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Tree campaigners form yellow ribbon around Sheffield Town Hall

Campaigners to save Sheffield trees circled the Town Hall to form a human ribbon as part of the latest rally against the Council’s tree felling programme. Hundreds of people turned out in support of Sheffield Tree Action Group, many wearing yellow clothes to symbolise the yellow ribbons that are wrapped around the 20,000 trees scheduled to be removed by City Council contractor, Amey. Sham Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Rail commuters protest against fare increases

Sheffield rail users voiced their anger at the latest rise in train fares at a demonstration outside Sheffield station. The protest was part of a countrywide action by commuters and other passengers following the announcement of fare rises averaging 2.3% for a single fare journey. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield tree campaigners protest outside Town Hall

Two hundred people gathered outside Sheffield Town Hall to protest against the Council’s tree felling programme before a Council debate on the issue. Members of Sheffield Tree Action Group and Save Our Roadside Trees addressed protesters ahead of the full council meeting which debated a Green Party tabled motion of ‘no confidence’. Sheffield Live! reporter Sham Powell spoke with former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett.

 

Anti-austerity campaigners condemn autumn budget statement

Green party co-leader Jonathan Bartley joined anti-austerity campaigners at a rally outside Sheffield Town Hall to condemn the autumn budget statement. Meanwhile Labour have said the government was “unprepared and ill-equipped” for Brexit. In the first financial statement since the Brexit vote in July, Chancellor Philip Hammond said government borrowing will increase by £122 billion over the next six years while UK growth predictions have been severely cut. Hammond vowed to ensure the UK economy was “resilient” and unveiled a fuel duty freeze and more cash for housing, transport and digital infrastructure. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield aid group warn of risks from closure of Jungle camp

Stuart Crossthwaite, general secretary of the South Yorkshire Migration, Asylum and Action Group has warned of chaos from closing the ‘Jungle’ migrant camp in Calais. More than a thousand police and officials in France have been engaged in clearing the camp which has housed at least 7,000 people. The UK has now begun to accept some of the estimated 1300 unaccompanied children from the camp. The first group without family ties to the UK has arrived in Britain under the “Dubs amendment” rules, which grant refuge to the most vulnerable.

Sheffield City Council is seeking more funding to support and house refugees

Councillor Jayne Dunn, cabinet member for housing on Sheffield City Council, is asking the government to give local authorities more money to help refugees. Her plea comes after more than a hundred refugee children arrived in the UK last week from the Calais camp known as the “Jungle.” On Wednesday, French authorities in Calais announced completion of the operation to move thousands of migrants out of the camp. The announcement came as parts of the Jungle continued to burn after fires were set overnight and in the morning. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Protestors urge UK to accept more child refugees from Calais

Protestors gathered outside Sheffield train station on Friday to call for the UK to provide more support in accepting child refugees from the Jungle camp in Calais. The peaceful demonstration was designed to raise awareness of the plight of refugee children. Children’s shoes were lined up outside the station to symbolise the young refugees in need and protestors lit candles and waved banners. A similar protest was also organised in Barnsley. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Val Huzzard from Sheffield Donations for Refugees.