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× A SOCIALLY-DISTANCED rally was held in the town centre last weekend to show support for Palestinians suffering from Israeli bombardment.
A total of 15 people from Barnsley Trades Union Council (BTUC) and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) attended the rally, which was linked to a number of rallies across the country.
It marked the 73rd year since the Nakba of 1948 when 700,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes during the creation of Israel.
Attendees heard speeches about the destruction of Gaza from Israeli air and tank attacks - the death toll on Saturday was 130 Palestinians, including 32 children.
That figure has since risen and more than 200 homes and 24 schools in Gaza have been destroyed.
× CAMPAIGNERS planted a tree on a controversial Hoyland Common development site in response to what they feel are low-quality employment plans.
Some of the Extinction Rebellion and REACH members were cheered on by members of the public as they trespassed onto the Hermes site, set to be home to a new 340,000sq ft ‘mega hub’ and bring thousands of jobs to the town.
Their aim was to raise awareness of the ‘destruction’ caused, while demanding that Hermes pay back the community for the removal of ‘such important’ land.
George Arthur, secretary of Barnsley Trades Union Council, said: “We are concerned about the value of the jobs provided at Hermes.
× MEMBERS of a number of trade unions paid their respects to those who have died at work in the last year by laying wreaths on Barnsley Town Hall’s steps.
Workers Memorial Day, on Wednesday, was perhaps more poignant than ever this time round following the Covid-19 pandemic - and Barnsley Trades Union Council (BTUC), alongside seven other trade unions, gathered in a socially-distanced manner to pay their respects.
The event, which is recognised internationally, was seen as a chance to send a message that health and safety protection at work must be recognised as a right for all - and that no-one should have to die to make a living.
× A SOCIALLY-distanced protest was held outside Barnsley Town Hall on Wednesday following the government’s budget announcement.
Three residents took to the town centre to help make their views known on the budget, which George Arthur, secretary of Barnsley Trades Union Council, says doesn’t provide the borough the support it needs.
He told the Chronicle: “Our message is quite simple - tax the wealthy.
“Tax those companies that have made huge amounts of money during the pandemic - I can’t understand why they’re not taxed as much as the stores in the town centre.
“We are concerned that so many areas like Barnsley have suffered enormously through Covid and the budget is not providing the necessary support.