Following his endorsement of the first Harton and Westoe Miners Banner Group meeting to defend Jeremy Corbyn last week, the Labour leader, speaking in Sunderland, pledged his support to the group’s next meetings that will take place in South Shields and Jarrow.
Arising from the initial banner group meeting, a Facebook group called South Tyneside Defends Jeremy Corbyn has already attracted 100 friends and the aim is to hit 500 by the end of the Labour leadership campaign.
Emma Louise Cairns and Chelsie Boyack set up the Facebook page and are helping to rally support for Corbyn in South Tyneside.
Chelsie said: “He made an amazing speech in Sunderland and has endorsed our group South Tyneside Defends Jeremy Corbyn.
“Jeremy is really down to earth and approachable. It was great to get a selfie with him.”
After an initial meeting of 83 people last week, the Harton and Westoe Miners Banner Group are building on that support.
John Watson, secretary of the banner group said: “It is wonderful to have so many young people enthused by socialist policies. Our aim is to sign up everyone to the Labour Party who comes to our meetings and who become friends on South Tyneside Defends Jeremy Corbyn.”
The next Defend Jeremy Corbyn public meeting is on Tuesday, August 16, at Ocean Road Community Centre, south Shields at 6.45pm.
That will be followed by a public meeting on Wednesday, August 24, at Jarrow Community Centre at 7pm.