William Beckford (1709 – 1770)
The Beckford family had been involved in both the West India trade and as contractors supplying the Royal Navy since the mid-1600s. The London branch of the family, Richard Beckford (1619-1679) and his brother Sir Thomas (1628-1685) supplied the Navy with cheap clothing for the sailors, indeed, in 1668, Thomas is on record as bribing Samuel Pepys, Chief Secretary to the Admiralty, with a gift of £50 [£204,900] and a silver warming pan, which helped secure naval contracts worth £24,800 [£101,600,000].1
Meanwhile, another branch of the family made their money in the West Indies. Peter Beckford (1643–1710) arrived in … Read on ...
October Meeting – Reparations
The question of Reparations for Enslavement has been in the news lately with the Gladstone family denouncing their “odious” ancestor.
Luke Daniels, President of Caribbean Labour Solidarity, recently spoke to a large meeting, in the North of England, of shop stewards and delegates, members of the trade union UNISON. Luke will give a report of this important meeting and an update on the campaign as well as reminding us of the arguments for Reparations.
demanding the removal of the statue of enslaver William Beckford from the Guildhall in London produced a lively discussion. Steve Cushion will explore the … Read on ...
Defend Legal Workers and What is Happening in Niger?
Sunday 3rd September 2023
Nadine Finch:
Lawyers who defend the human rights of others are increasingly vulnerable when politicians no longer respect or protect these rights
Lawyers who are themselves from communities whose rights are being denied are particularly at risk, as has been the case in England, Northern Ireland and internationally
Frank Murray:
A recent coup removed Niger’s pro-Western leader president Mohamed Bazoum. France and the US, who have considerable military forces in the country, are at the head of NATO members who want him restored. They will rely on the military and economic strength of Nigeria, … Read on ...
Crofton St. Louis (1940-2023)
Our friend and comrade, Crofton St Louis, Past President of Caribbean Labour Solidarity, has passed away.
The late Cde Crofton “Croffie” St. Louis, Grenadian Patriot, internationalist and spirited revolutionary died in his homeland Grenada, yesterday morning at age 83. He was a fierce supporter of the Cuban Revolution; a lifelong activist member of the UK-based Caribbean Labour Solidarity (CLS); a founding member of the Committee for Human Rights in Grenada (CHRG- UK) founded in the wake of the US military invasion and occupation of Grenada in October 1983. Cde. “Croffie” was also a founding member of the NJM UK branch … Read on ...