Across India, members of farmers’ groups, trade unions and women’s and students’ organizations held aloft black protest flags and burnt copies of the three controversial farm laws which have been fiercely opposed

In today’s episode we take a look at the protests against the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Bill in the UK, strike against privatization by bank employees in India, a UN Report documenting a 65% increase in the demolitions of Palestinian homes by Israeli forces, and the continued protests in France as the Senate debates the Global Security Bill

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions. It was observed all across the country on March 15 and 16 and supported by all major left parties

The call to mobilization given by left students and youth organizations had also expressed its support for the ongoing farmers agitation against the pro-corporate legislation

Despite police repression and the COVID-19 pandemic, workers and farmers and their allies across India participated in the pan-India strike action against the recent neoliberal reforms pushed through by the Narendra Modi government

The call for this massive countrywide action has been given by 10 central trade unions and dozens of independent federations. Simultaneously, an umbrella platform of over 300 farmers’ organizations has called for a two-day protest

Most governments worldwide have announced relief packages to deal with the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, though big in numbers, these packages have very little to offer to those most affected by the crisis

Activists of leftist youth organizations, including the Democratic Youth Federation of India, have helped operationalize facilities for the treatment of patients, and set up hand washing facilities in many villages and towns