SOLOMON HUGHES recommends Sunjeev Sahota’s recent novel set in a trade union election campaign for its fresh approach to what unites and divides workers, but wishes the union backdrop was truer to life
Vinie Burrows (November 11 1924 – December 25 2023), actor and political activist, died peacefully on Christmas Day aged 99. Her friends in Ireland send our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Nicole Rosky, editor-in-chief of Broadway World, writes: “Actress Vinie Burrows, once proclaimed ‘the queen of black theatre’ by Clive Barnes of the New York Times, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.”
Burrows, the world-renowned actor and activist, was a native New Yorker and NYU graduate, with a BA and a Masters, and in recent years was bestowed an honorary PhD from the New School.
For generations black women have shaped Britain’s activism, arts and public life despite exclusion and discrimination. ZITA HOLBOURNE pays tribute to these political trailblazers and cultural icons, whose courage continues to inspire
Maggie Bowden was a trailblazing campaigning lawyer at Birnberg and Thompsons, women’s organiser of the Communist Party, and general secretary of Liberation
At 80, Elizabeth Morley wished she could join Palestine Action’s ladder-climbing but found her perfect protest at Defend Our Juries, proving Britain’s elders won’t be silenced despite government crackdowns, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
Peaceful protesters are facing increasingly authoritarian clampdowns, including two recent arrests for putting a sticker on a Barclays ATM. LYNDA WALKER reports



