People are getting ready to fight back against Boris Johnson’s coup

Boris Johnson has stated he intends to suspend parliament. He says it’s purely in order to start a new session of parliament. But critics, including Jeremy Corbyn, believe it’s an attempt to force through a no-deal Brexit. And the reaction on social media shows that people will not take this subversion of democracy lying down. Within hours of the announcement, #GeneralStrike and #StopThe Coup were trending on Twitter.
Journalist Paul Mason’s response to shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s tweet summed up what people across the country are thinking:
#StopTheCoup – from Orkney & Shetland to St Ives, every constituency in Britain needs to shake with rage. They're shutting down parliament because Boris Johnson can't persuade civil servants to break our laws… #GeneralStrike on the day it happens… https://t.co/phR5NqwduH
— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) August 28, 2019
Read on...
All out!
As some social media users pointed out, calls for a general strike generally don’t gain traction in the UK:
I never thought I’d see the day where #GeneralStrike was trending on Twitter.
If Johnson wants to shut down Parliament to drive though a policy which has no mandate then the people should stand up and be heard.
It’s an unprecedented measure.. but we live in unprecedented times.
— George Aylett 🌍 (@GeorgeAylett) August 28, 2019
And the calls for a strike aren’t just coming from Remain voters. Leave voters are also worried about what Johnson is proposing to do to our democracy:
I want to leave the EU, one of the reasons is to return power to Parliament & the People. Shutting down Parliament does the opposite, its an outrage for the Prime Minister to try. If our voices can't be heard in Parliament, they should be heard on the streets in a #GeneralStrike
— Amias Perry (Pez) (@LeftistRascal) August 28, 2019
The time has come for a #GeneralStrike in this country. People won't be taken hostage by this clown dictator. Leaving the EU is one thing, being lead by a baffoon with a cabinet full of crooks like Patel, Rudd, Gove and Raab who couldn't give a shit about the people is another.
— Younes H-Hamou (@youneshh) August 28, 2019
Not just about Brexit
We need to be clear. Calls for a general strike are not just about Brexit. They are about a government that is planning to rip apart the final shreds of democracy we have left.
It doesn’t matter whether you voted for Leave or Remain. It shouldn’t even matter if you support a no-deal Brexit. Those who supported leaving the EU waxed lyrical about “taking back control”. This is not taking back control. This is a coup. And we need to stop it.
Featured image via screengrab – BBC
We need your help to keep speaking the truth
Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf.
Our fight is your fight. You’ve supported our collective struggle every time you gave us a like; and every time you shared our work across social media. Now we need you to support us with a monthly donation.
We have published nearly 2,000 articles and over 50 films in 2021. And we want to do this and more in 2022 but we don’t have enough money to go on at this pace. So, if you value our work and want us to continue then please join us and be part of The Canary family.
In return, you get:
* Advert free reading experience
* Quarterly group video call with the Editor-in-Chief
* Behind the scenes monthly e-newsletter
* 20% discount in our shop
Almost all of our spending goes to the people who make The Canary’s content. So your contribution directly supports our writers and enables us to continue to do what we do: speaking truth, powered by you. We have weathered many attempts to shut us down and silence our vital opposition to an increasingly fascist government and right-wing mainstream media.
With your help we can continue:
* Holding political and state power to account
* Advocating for the people the system marginalises
* Being a media outlet that upholds the highest standards
* Campaigning on the issues others won’t
* Putting your lives central to everything we do
We are a drop of truth in an ocean of deceit. But we can’t do this without your support. So please, can you help us continue the fight?
-
Show Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to leave a comment.Join the conversationPlease read our comment moderation policy here.