11 April 2009

Bragg to honour union martyrs

Islington Tribune
Publications by New Journal Enterprises

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Islington Tribune - by EMMA REYNOLDS
Published: 10 April 2009

Bragg to honour union martyrs

BILLY Bragg will join political leaders on ­Saturday April 25 for the Tolpuddle in ­Islington festival, celebrating 175 years of trade union organising.
The day will commemorate London’s Grand Demonstration for the Tolpuddle ­Martyrs in 1834 and will take place by the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ mural in Edward Square, at the junction of Caledonian Road and Copenhagen Street.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs were six Dorset farmers who were transported to Australia for forming an early trade union.
The government eventually released them following the demonstration by 100,000 people, who marched from Copenhagen Fields to Parliament and on to Kennington Common with a petition of 200,000 names.
Islington MPs, union chiefs and local ­residents will assemble under the Caledonian Park clocktower in ­Market Road from 12pm and march to the mural for speeches and entertainment.
Billy Bragg (pictured) will take the stage at 4pm, following guests including TUC deputy general secretary Frances O’Grady, folk musician Martin Carthy, Islington South MP ­Emily Thornberry and Raised Voices choir. Refreshments and children’s activities will be provided at the event, hosted by the Mayor of Islington, Councillor Stefan Kasprzyk.

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