"Murder graph shows how London killings compare to US cities" - the hypocrisy and cant of President Trump

The level of deaths from knife and gun crime in London and other major UK cities is simply unacceptable and we must do everything possible to reduce it. This of course includes reversing the 20, 000 Tory cuts in Police numbers and the 23% cut in police civilian staff.

However, hat tip to the Metro for the above chart which shows the hypocrisy and cant of recent attacks by President Trump against London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. 

US Cities murder rates are staggeringly high compared to London. Unbelievably high. New York is twice the rate of London, Washington is over 10 times as high and St Louis has a gut wrenching 64.9 murders per 100,000 citizens compared to London's 1.5.

My nephew is currently living in Chicago which is about 17 times more dangerous than living in London.

Will Trump be calling for all his US city Civic leaders to resign (followed hopefully by himself)? I will not hold my breath. 

Crying girl on the border

The winners of the World Press Photo 2019 contest have been announced, selected from over 78,000 photos taken by 4,738 photographers.

Warning: contains images that some may find distressing.

The winning image is by John Moore showing Honduran toddler Yanela Sanchez crying as she and her mother, Sandra Sanchez, are taken into custody by US border officials in McAllen, Texas, USA.

The photo was taken in June 2018 and is entitled Crying Girl on the Border.

Moore, a senior staff photographer for Getty Images, said: "I think this image touched many people's hearts, as it did mine, because it humanises a larger story.

"When you see Yanela's face, and she is more than two years old now, you really see the humanity and the fear of making such a long journey and crossing a border in the dead of night."

After the photo was seen all around the world, US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Yanela and her mother had not been among the thousands who had been separated by US officials.

But public outcry over the controversial practice resulted in President Donald Trump reversing the policy on 20 June.

President Donald Trump and Queenie

Love it but he is such a .......

F**K Trump and join the United Nations Associations UK

In a very clever and timely email this evening the United Nations Association UK send me the following unsolicited email.

"Dear John,

I would like to invite you to become a member of the United Nations Association - UK, a movement of over 20,000 people who believe that global issues demand a global response.

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump said "the United Nations is not a friend of democracy, it is not a friend of freedom".

We don’t really know the details of know how US foreign policy will change following his inauguration as President today. But we hope that it will remain engaged with the UN and take seriously its international responsibilities.

If you agree that the world works best when countries work together, please join us as a member.

From just £15 a year you will receive our incisive magazine delivered directly to your door and priority alerts to our events, giving you the opportunity to meet like-minded people.

But much more than that, you will be contributing to our work as we equip teachers, inspire schoolchildren, brief journalists, lobby our government and mobilise groups in local communities across the country.

It’s so important to make sure your voice is heard during this time of uncertainty. I do hope you will join us.

Best wishes,

Richard Nelmes
Deputy Director (Outreach)
United Nations Association – UK

The United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK) is a charitable company limited by guarantee (no. 1146016)"

I have only vaguely heard of the UNA and have become a "supporter" and if it is as good as it seems I will join. Share this if you agree with the above sentiments. 

West Ham Labour offers group therapy to get over Trump - also trigger ballot, street stall, door knocking & crimbo social

"Dear West Ham Labour Party Member

Canvassing, street stalls, Christmas quiz and 'affirmative nomination' meetings

I have no idea what to say about President-elect Trump. So I won't...

1. If you've been a member for over six months you should have received a letter notifying you of an 'affirmative nomination' meeting for re-selection of the Mayor of Newham. A list of meeting dates agreed so far is here (will be updated). Get in touch with your secretary if you've not received anything.

2. This Saturday, 12 Nov, we'll be out with our Lyn Brown MP door knocking in Plaistow South and at a street stall in Green St.

Door knocking: 11am, meet Barking Rd Community Centre, Barking Rd, E13 9EZ (on buses 5 and 115, and a few mins from Greengate 473, 262, 330 - contact Julianne)
Street stall: 11am to 12.30pm, St Stephens Parade, Green St, E7 8LQ, (near tube and 238 and 376 - contact Hanif)

Please do come and join one of these sessions - it could be kind of group therapy. Don't worry if you've not been out talking to voters before a fellow Labour member will be there to help you.

Christmas Quiz - it's a festive fixture in West Ham! Great food (brought and shared by members), great company (Labour members!) and a great quiz (with an infamous guess the crisp round).

Put it in your diary: Friday 9 Dec at Vicarage Lane Community Centre, Govier Close, E15 4HW

Phone canvassing
For those of you who don't like the cold we'll also be doing some telephone canvassing - let us know if you're interested.

Hope to see you Saturday.

Julianne Marriott
Vice Chair (Campaigns and Comms) West Ham CLP

t: @westhamlabour
e: westhamlabour@gmail.com
w: westhamlabour.org