A RAISED FIST & A HELPING HAND- 6/7/8 OCTOBER 2017
Child poverty, food banks, benefit sanctions, bedroom tax, cuts to disabled support, carers in crisis, soup kitchens, rough sleeping, homelessness, mental health crisis, pawn shops, payday lenders. Why do these things exist in one of the richest economies on earth?
We Shall Overcome is a movement of musicians, artists, activists and community organisers who are angry about the human costs of austerity policies but who want to do something practical to help those affected.
Over the weekend of 6/7/8 October we’re encouraging people to organise gigs and events that will get direct help to those in our local communities who have been adversely affected by austerity policies.
HOW IT WORKS
Each event is used to directly help the community in which it is based. Some events ask for donations of provisions for their local food bank, others charge a moderate fee and take cash donations in a bucket. To become a part of We Shall Overcome all you need is the desire to see an end to Austerity, and the guts to do something about it – if you have, then join us.
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR
We Shall Overcome took place over the weekend of 2/3/4 October 2015; it returned and ran for a full week 3rd-9th October 2016 and has since run regular gigs up and down the land. A LOT of gigs. So far WSO organisers and musicians have helped put together 650 gigs in 135 towns across 9 countries on 3 continents, raising an estimated £230,000 of cash, food, clothing and bedding for those hardest hit by austerity, and we have no intention of stopping until the need for us has passed.
#WSO2017 takes place over the weekend of October 6/7/8. If you want to join us, PLEASE get in touch. You CAN make a difference.
August 16, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Cannot tell you how much I’m looking forward to this year, last year was simply awesome. East Coast Homeless Outrech were invited along to the gig in Louth where a great time was had, many donations received and new friends, that continue to support and stay involved with our community work, were made that night.
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August 14, 2016 at 3:36 pm
Hi how are the things donated distributed and to whom…we are a small community cafe/project and would LOVE to receive some of the donated stuff…how can we do this please??
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August 26, 2016 at 9:19 am
Hi Deb
Everything is organised locally, so you’d need to make contact with a local organiser and make your case for support! Best thing is to join the Facebook group and make a post saying where you are and asking for help. Thats at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WSO16/
Matt
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October 2, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Is there a list of venues or can you tell me if there;s anything happening in the East Sussex area?
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October 2, 2015 at 7:36 am
THE VERY BEST TO EVERYONE ORGANISING,PLAYING AT OR ATTENDING THIS AWESOME SERIES OF GIGS,MAKING A REAL CHANGE,WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD,THIS MIGHT BE A GAME CHANGER!!!!!!!!!!!
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October 1, 2015 at 9:19 am
bravo, great to see. anything I can do to contribute I will. i got work on 6 music, electronic intifada anti austerity etc. tour late october so if i can fit anything in then …? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzboYO577xw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLdws4Ml-hE
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September 30, 2015 at 2:11 pm
Hi – is there any way I could sign up to perform?
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September 29, 2015 at 9:53 pm
Fifty bands and artists over five days – eight charities – eight bike clubs – loads of our Station family dropping everything to pitch in – everyone working together to make the world a slightly better place for people who have no help, no voice and no hope…..and we are just one little venue in one fairly small town. The sheer scale of what this has become shows that musicians have the biggest hearts and best souls in the world…thank you to Joe Solo, Stephen Goodall and the team for creating something that brought us all together. In years to come, we are all going to be saying we were part of this but more importantly we are going to keep people alive who will be able to say people who were part of this gave a shit when it was needed most. Love to all my WSO family always. xxx
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September 10, 2015 at 4:27 pm
How do we get to perform at a gig
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September 9, 2015 at 11:26 am
radio partizan – leeds based political post punk – are happy to offer our services. Be up for organising something in leeds – or travelling elsewhere.
links – https://soundcloud.com/radio-partizan
radiopartizan@yahoo.co.uk
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September 4, 2015 at 10:57 pm
We are being severely effected by austerity and all the changes and we are both disabled. We often feel helpless but something like this makes us feel that there are others who do understand. Thank you so much it helps us carry on knowing people feel the same so a big thank you.
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August 19, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Count me in! how do I get involved?
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September 4, 2015 at 12:00 am
Hiya Vincent, only just seen this post so apologies. Events are being put together in a dedicated Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/weshallovercomeweekend/ if you want to join in. Hopefully you’ll either find a gig to play or be able to make an event of your own. Tight for time now, but still possible. We got two new events today so they are still happening. Be good to have you aboard, Joe.
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August 19, 2015 at 9:45 am
What an event this has turned into! Well done to everyone at WSO Central and all the volunteers organising events all over the country and abroad. Fantastic.
Dave Wood, Ulverston
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July 17, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Greetings from the People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle in the USA. We are commonly known as the People’s Music Network or just PMN. Website: http://peoplesmusic.org
On July 16 our Steering Committee agreed that PMN support the We Shall Overcome Weekend in the following ways:
• PMN members who already have gigs booked October 2-4, 2015, should consider making those gigs a part of We Shall Overcome Weekend. That could mean listing them on the We Shall Overcome Weekend website and Facebook group page, and/or using the We Shall Overcome Weekend logo in publicity.
• Other PMN members should consider organizing events (concerts, open mics, sing-arounds, etc.) in conjunction with We Shall Overcome Week. Those events would use the We Shall Overcome Weekend logo in their publicity and would be listed on the We Shall Overcome Weekend website and Facebook group page.
• PMN would publicize We Shall Overcome Weekend on its own website, official Facebook page, and Facebook group page.
— Steve Suffet (on behalf of the PMN Steering Committee)
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July 4, 2015 at 9:19 pm
I run AOK Rucksack appeal a registered charity getting homeless off the streets and pack into the community…do I qualify for a grant please
http://www,aokrucksackappeal.org.uk
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July 1, 2015 at 11:29 am
By standing together we hold the balance of power – if only we all would realise it
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June 3, 2015 at 10:25 pm
Once again, turning deaf ears to the great british people will only unite us ! I’m in !
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