Campaigners occupy against Levenshulme library closure

High spirits inside Levenshulme library on Friday night (Pic: Mark Krantz)

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Around 50 people occupied Levenshulme library in south Manchester on Friday night of last week.

They were protesting against Manchester council’s plan to close both the library and the swimming pool in Manchester’s most deprived ward.

The occupation followed a poetry event with 200 people in the library. Protesters refused to leave until after midnight, when they were met by cheers from a small crowd of supporters.

“This library is very well used,” Clare Sudbery told Socialist Worker. “People can’t afford to go to the next library in Longsight because the buses are so expensive.”

Clare was occupying the library with her son Felix, one of many children in the occupation.

Labour councillor Aftab Ahmed said from the occupation, “The Levenshulme library is a vital resource for a deprived community and where children feel safe.

“We must do all that we can to save it.”

Around 250 protesters blocked the road outside the library in opposition to the closure the following day.