Description
Book SynopsisIt would be easy to despair at the state of the world today. But we must not. Indeed, we cannot.
In this book Neil Findlay brings together first-hand testimony from people who have played crucial roles in social justice campaigns. Their stories are personal, political and unforgettable. They say a lot about dignity, integrity, courage and humanity. We can apply what we learn from them to build a sustainable and fair society for generations to come.
Activists, social justice campaigners, trade unionists and environmentalists will find this collection inspirational, emotional and educational. And they will understand why it is titled If You Don’t Run, They Can’t Chase You.
With contributions from ‘Andrea’, Margaret Aspinall, Alex Bennett, Brian Filling, Maria Fyfe, Elaine Holmes, Mark Lyon, Alistair Mackie, Olive McIlroy, Tony Nelson, Paul Quigley, Terry Renshaw, Dennis Skinner, Dave Smith, Jim Swan, Louise Taggart and Yvette Williams.
We must examine the campaigns and struggles people have gone through, listen to their stories, study their actions and in turn look at the world now, and apply what we have learnt.
Trade Review'These inspiring portraits will move you to continue the struggle.' -
Owen Jones, Journalist and author of This Land: The Struggle for the Left.Table of ContentsNote 9
Introduction 11
What Makes a Good Campaign? 15
Alistair Mackie: The Trade Unionist and the Tycoon 17
Jim Swan: Bathgate No More… 26
Terry Renshaw: The Shrewsbury 24 33
Brian Filling: Mandela and Me 42
Maria Fyfe: A One-Woman Show 57
Dave Smith: Blacklisted 69
Alex Bennett: The Coal Strike, a Miner’s Story 76
Dennis Skinner: The Coal Strike: Politician’s Story 84
Tony Nelson: A Docker’s Tale 94
Mark Lyon: Taking on a Corporate Giant 102
‘Andrea’: The Spycop and Me 114
Margaret Aspinall: Justice for the 96 123
Yvette Williams: Grenfell 134
Elaine Holmes and Olive Mcilroy: MESH 143
Paul Quigley: The Football Act 159
Louise Adamson: Michael’s story 171
Epilogue 181
