All posts tagged: Grassroots

Grassroots venues call Labour rates relief ‘token gesture’ amid fight for survival

Grassroots venues call Labour rates relief ‘token gesture’ amid fight for survival

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the inside track from Roisin O’Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This It’s no secret that the situation of Britain’s music venues has grown increasingly fraught, made worse by the Covid pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and shifting trends in alcohol consumption. That’s why, when Labour pledged to reduce business rates for pubs and music venues by 15 per cent back in January, many business owners across the country breathed a collective sigh of relief. But, after the changes finally came into effect earlier this week, just how positive are the UK’s grassroots venues feeling about the future? Punk project, Total Con, perform at The Lughole as part of its Noise Annoys Fest in 2025. (Credit: Instagram / Alex Brown / @aroutinesearch) Adam Regan, owner of the historic Hare & Hounds in south Birmingham, told The Independent that the new rates relief left much to be desired, even while he feels confident that his business is …

The Rev. William Barber II: Fighting Autocrats Starts at the Grassroots

The Rev. William Barber II: Fighting Autocrats Starts at the Grassroots

Published by Sam Flores

“This Is Our Selma”—and a debate challenge to Speaker Mike Johnson. Turn out 1,500 more voters per county in North Carolina. That’s the threshold. The Reverend William Barber II has analyzed the numbers and believes that’s where districts flip. Gerrymandering typically assumes 45% turnout. At 50%, the map changes. Barber’s ‘s launching “This Is Our Selma” February 11-14 in Raleigh—a mobilization focused on organizing around voting rights, healthcare, and wage policy rather than resistance messaging. RELATED: Rev. William Barber takes up Mike Johnson’s challenge to debate immigration theology Barber, who led the 2013 Moral Monday protests, contends the strategy requires state-based county-level organizing rather than federal action alone. In every battleground state, voters earning low wages make up 36-42% of the electorate. Last cycle saw a notable shift: for the first time, voters earning under $50,000 favored Trump over Democrats by roughly 1%. The campaigns took different approaches. Trump visited rural Eastern North Carolina counties. Democrats focused on Charlotte and Greensboro. Barber says former candidate Pete Buttigieg confirmed that consultants discourage using the word “poor,” …