Radical Read

Radical Read

Radical Read is a flexible reading and learning resource, that can be used in and out of the classroom.

This online pack contains 15 themes exploring the involvement of young people in peaceful protest, inspired by Manchester’s commemoration of the Peterloo Massacre in 1819. Powerful stories of how young people have used protest and collective action to promote democratic rights, frame the pack and encourage its readers to understand, examine and articulate the themes more broadly.

Radical Read is aimed at 14 – 18-year-olds, and can be used in schools, colleges and other youth settings. It can be used within a specific lesson, year assembly or whole school drop-down day, it allows for a flexible approach, across ages, stages and interest.

Radical Read forms part of the Read Manchester campaign and aims to promote the enjoyment of reading. For more information on how to unpack and use the resource take a look at our guidance document here

If you’d like support in inviting guests to work with you on Radical Read activity or would be willing to participate in evaluating the pack please contact Elaine: e.morrison@manchester.gov.uk

Please note: The Radical Read resources require Acrobat Reader. Click here to download now.

The Peterloo Anthology is the result of Radical Read’s Creative Writing Competition, it features the winner and runners up entries from young people across Manchester. It is also beautifully illustrated by Thea Tite Ahern and Carolina Del Valle Ortega,  aspiring young artists from Loreto High School, Chorlton.  Read The Peterloo Anthology here on issuu.

Peterloo

Manchester UK, 1819. The involvement of young people in the movement for democracy, and the protests leading up to the Peterloo Massacre.

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March for Our Lives

Florida USA, 2018. The school shooting that inspired and galvinised national and international protests of young people against gun violence.

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Rising against Racism

Soweto South Africa, 1976 / Ferguson, USA, 2014. Young people at the forefront of the struggle against racism.

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Concerts as Activism

Manchester UK, 1978-2017. From Rock Against Racism to One Love Manchester, the power of live music for political and humanitarian change

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School-Yard Protest

London UK, 1968 / Pretoria South Africa, 2016 / Exeter UK, 2017. School students campaigns for change and democracy in the classroom

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School strike for Climate

Stockholm Sweden, 2018. Campaigns led by young people, across the world, to challenge environmental destruction and global policy

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Young Women Say No

New York USA, 2017. Young women fighting against discrimination and male and sexual violence.

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Seek Refuge

Manchester UK, 1986 / Gothenburg Sweden, 2018 Young Activists in protest for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

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We Need Unions!

London UK, 1888 / Manchester UK, 2017. When young workers take the lead in organising trade unions for decent wages and conditions

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Youth Resistance to the Nazis

Germany, 1933-45. The extraordinary story of the Edelweiss Pirates & White Rose, two youth movements that stood up against the Nazis

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We Will Not Fight

UK, 1914-18 / USA, 1965 -75. Thousands of young men refusing to fight - morally, politically or religiously opposed to war

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Occupy

Paris France, 1875 / Istanbul Turkey, 2013 / Hong Kong 2014. The international occupy movements, and echoes of the Paris Commune

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Disabled People's Rights

Washington DC USA, 2969. Deaf President Now student protest at University for the deaf, which had never once been led by a deaf president

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LGBT Activism

New York USA, 1969. Young people in the history of LGBT activism, from Stonewall to the present day

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Our Rights to an Education

Cordoba Argentina, 1918 / Swat Valley Pakistan, 2012. The fight for basic access to education, free from discrimination

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