Death of a poet. Trade union action. Different aspects of conservation matters.

 Here’s a post from Michael Rosen on Facebook this morning:  

“The tragic terrible news has come to me that Benjamin Zephaniah's family have announced that Benjamin has died. I'm devastated. I admired him, respected him, learnt from him, loved him. Love and condolences to the family and to all who loved him too.”

Then I found this:

“Benjamin Zephaniah, the British poet whose work often addressed political injustice, has died aged 65.

Zephaniah died in the early hours of Wednesday morning after being diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago, a post on his Instagram page stated.

“Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed,” the post read. “We shared him with the world and we know many will be shocked and saddened by this news. Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so much. Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy”.

So sad! A brain tumour is a cruel thing and can take its victims so quickly. And nowadays 65 seems so young to be taken away from the world and all your people. Rest in Peace, Benjamin. 

Here’s news of a different kind: 

WELL DONE!

"Four arms factories in the UK producing Israeli fighter jets have been shut down by 1,000 trade unionists operating under the banner Workers for a Free Palestine.

The four factories are Eaton Mission Systems in Bournemouth, BAE Systems at Samlesbury Aerodrome in Lancashire, L3Harris factory in Brighton and Hove, and BAE Govan in Glasgow. All produce parts for F-35 stealth combat aircraft currently being used by Israel to bombard Gaza.

The trade unionists, who include health workers, teachers, hospitality workers, academics, artists, are calling for an end to arms sales to Israel and for the UK government to support a permanent ceasefire.

The blockades have been organised in coordination with workers in France, Denmark and the Netherlands, who are also blockading arms factories on Thursday.

Trade unions represented including Unite, UNISON, GMB, the NEU, the BMA, UCU, BECTU and BFAWU.

Workers for Free Palestine said:

We salute all those in the trade union movement taking a stand to disrupt the flow of arms to Israel. Shutting down four factories across the UK today, along with several simultaneous blockades in Europe, are critical acts of solidarity - refusing to conduct business as usual in the face of Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza and ongoing genocide. As the British government refuses to call for a ceasefire and directly supports Israel’s military attack, a rapidly growing movement of workers are clearly saying “not in our name”."

(Guardian update 10:32)

But in Germany I read that an artist’s exhibition has been cancelled because she expressed sympathy for Palestine. 

It’s time our governments started to listen to the people.

Here are links to two articles which look at conservation issues from two different situations. The first describes a community in France where the local people are being trained to live more ecologically and the second describes the measures communities in Palestine are having to resort to in order to conserve water that is fit to drink.

What a crazy situation. But … 

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!