August theme – activism in all forms
The history of activism and social change is also a history of human ingenuity, creativity, and bravery, and these stories keep being written – all over the world there are people setting out to challenge injustice or change a system, and are using a whole range of different tactics and strategies to achieve their goals. From disruptive direct action to creative interventions, communicating directly with politicians and organising in work spaces, nationwide revolutions to hyper-local community work, “activism” looks different depending on the lens you bring to look at it. The Commonweal Collection holds thousands of materials that highlight this staggering diversity, and we continue to add to it.
Read our full activism in all forms subject guide and reading list here.
Save the date: Commonweal Fundraiser with Klezmer Ceilidh, Buffet and RaffIe: Saturday 3rd Oct 2026, 6.30pm
From Gandhi to Rosa Parks to Extinction Rebellion, the world needs nonviolent movements for social change, today more than ever. The Commonweal Trust works to put nonviolent tools and ideas in the hands of today’s activists, through our unique collection of over 14,000 books, pamphlets and journals on social change and activism.
You can help sustain this vital work by attending our 2026 fundraiser, which will be held at Saltaire Bar on Saturday 3rd October, from 6:30pm. We’ll be enjoying an evening of dancing with the wonderful Ey Up Klezmer!, plus a buffet and raffIe.
Put the date in your diary – we’ll follow up with a ticketing link soon!
Outreach News
In July Commonweal hosted two workshops with local poet and writer Nabeela Ahmed. Huge thanks to Nabeela and the people that attended the workshops across the two dates. Participants were able to explore the Collection and take part in creative writing activities responding to the theme, intersectionality.
For the No Homework Necessary Book Club in collaboration with the 1 in 12 Library Collective and the People’s Care Movement, Commonweal shared resources from the Collection around migration and sanctuary seeking to complement a fantastic workshop by Right to Remain.
We ended the month with our second Radical Book Club in collaboration with Race Equality Network. Many thanks to all who attended and the fantastic conversations we had.
Please get in touch with our outreach worker by emailing commonwealoutreach@peacemuseum.org.uk if you would like to find out more about Commonweal, book us to attend events, or request a tour of the Collection.
The Radical Book Club
Welcome to The Radical Book Club! A collaboration between Race Equality Network and Commonweal. The Radical Book Club is a space to have engaging discussions on topics related to racial justice, human rights, community, and ways to build a better world together.
We are excited to share that our third book is Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis.
Date: Tuesday 22nd September 2026
Location: Bradford Mechanics Institute, 76 Kirkgate, BD1 1SZ
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
About Freedom is a Constant Struggle
In these collected essays, interviews and speeches, world-renowned activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis illuminates the connections between struggles against state violence and oppression throughout history and around the world.
Reflecting on the importance of black feminism, intersectionality and prison abolitionism for today’s struggles, Davis discusses the legacies of previous liberation struggles, from the Black Freedom Movement to the South African anti-Apartheid movement. She highlights connections and analyses today’s struggles against state terror, from Ferguson to Palestine.
Facing a world of outrageous injustice, Davis challenges us to imagine and build the movement for human liberation. And in doing so, she reminds us that ‘Freedom is a constant struggle.’
Booking is essential (book club for ages 18 and over). To book a FREE place please book via the eventbrite link here. Email fatima@raceequalitynetwork.org.uk to access the FREE copy of Freedom is a Constant Struggle! If you have not finished reading the book or simply want to discuss the themes of the book, please join us.
News from the Collection
We have added an exciting array of new books to the collection since our last email, exploring economics, feminism, the climate crisis, migration rights and colonialism:
- The Invisible Village: small world, big society, by M Y Alam
- England’s military heartland, by Vron Ware, Antonia Lucia Dawes, Mitra Pariyar and Alice Cree
- Disaster Anarchy, by Rhiannon Firth
- Renters unite! by Jacob Stringer
- Heart of the black race: black women’s lives in Britain, by Beverley Bryan, Stella Dadzie, and Suzanne Scafe
- No to Nuclear, by Linda Pentz Gunter
- Bittersweet Brexit, by Dr. Charlie Clutterbuck
- From a child soldier to a humanitarian, by Ishmeal Alfred Charles
You can find all of these books in the Collection now. Use the University online catalogue to search for books from the Collection.
Book of the Month
Our book of the month is Disaster Anarchy by Rhiannon Firth. This inspiring book explores how social movements have mobilised in the wake of crises like Hurricane Sandy and Covid-19, using mutual aid networks, grassroots action, occupations, and other tools to organise relief for people impacted by crises in ways that are empowering and community-led.
The book is available in the Commonweal Collection now.
News from friends: People’s Care Movement – summer gatherings
Members of the Bradford-based People’s Care Movement will be running activities for collective care and explore issues that matter to Bradford’s communities across the themes: Climate, Mental and Physical Health and Culture. The next two sessions are on 15th and 22nd August, and you can find more details here.