Ben Smoke
Tenants, unions and politicians back calls for a rent freeze
Flat Broke — As rents in UK cities continue to skyrocket, Sadiq Khan, Mick Lynch and others have joined forces to call on the Government for immediate action.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Activists left missing posters outside the Home Office
Where are the children? — The action took place in response to the 200 asylum-seeking children who were placed in hotels run by the Home Office who have gone missing.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Inside the fight against the Tories’s anti-strike bill
Democracy under attack — Activists and campaigners are fighting back against new laws that would seriously undermine the ability to take industrial action, calling it an attack on fundamental workers' rights.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Why I’m celebrating 10 years since trying to take my own life
Finding hope — On the tenth anniversary of attempting to take his own life, writer Ben Smoke reflects on what he’s learned – and the road ahead.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Thousands protest in London over deaths in police custody
End state violence — Over the weekend, the United Families & Friends Campaign organised a protest calling for an end to deaths at the hands of the police.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Why we should fear the Tories’ fresh attacks on protest
Police state — As the Public Order Bill returns to Parliament today, activists and campaigners are sounding the alarm over what they’re calling a rollback of human rights.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Protestors oppose TED Talks’ platforming of oil bosses
No planet B — Demonstrators gathered outside the Barbican to call out the non-profit over its decision to invite representatives of fossil fuel companies to speak at its summit.
Written by: Ben Smoke
A terrifying new chapter for unsafe abortions
Right to Choose — In the wake of the Roe v. Wade reversal, we introduce our series spotlighting the voices of people who’ve been impacted by anti-abortion laws and anti-choice protestors.
Written by: Daisy Schofield and Ben Smoke
The DIY group carving out space for women’s football
Baller FC — With the Women’s Euros in full swing, last week saw glorious, sweaty celebrations take place in a dedicated, safe space for female and non-binary fans.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Boris Johnson leaves behind him a terrifying legacy
Long shadow — The prime minister may have resigned, but the impact of a raft of authoritarian legislation passed under his tenure is yet to be felt.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Protestors resist police brutality in Dalston
Cops out — Over the weekend, London locals came together to resist a pre-planned police raid targeting delivery drivers.
Written by: Ben Smoke
In New Cross, an immigration raid shows ‘cruelty‘ of police
No one is illegal — The police response to an attempted intervention in an immigration raid in South East London has been labelled ‘brutality’ by campaigners.
Written by: Ben Smoke