Last weekend in Newcastle saw Rejoin a’Gogo, a pro-European event with a difference. With drag acts, music, and dance, North East for Europe was keen to celebrate openness, inclusion, diversity, and Europeanness. The event was part of the National Day for Rejoin, which included a huge variety of events across the UK, as well as in Spain.
The performers in Rejoin a’Gogo
The event was hosted by the stunning Lord Split-Beard and Rosie Palmer, with acts by very talented local artists, Carmen, Lockheed Lindsay, Miss Gloria Love and Sunderland-based dance group, Absolute Cabaret.
Special guests also included Steve Bray and Sylvia Zamperini from London SODEM protestors, plus members of the National Rejoin March team.
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James Sheerin, from North East for Europe, said:
“It was a lovely evening of song, dance and friendship, celebrating our collective resolve to put an end to Brexit and looking forward to the returning to a vibrant, colourful and successful future in Europe.”
National Day for Rejoin
The National Day for Rejoin followed on from the hugely successful first National Rejoin March in London last year, which was the largest pro-European march in the UK for many years. The March event this year is about whole country (and beyond) involvement and support for rejoining the European Union. At present the Post-Brexit Poll of Polls shows that 58% of people are in favour of rejoining the EU in some form.
Peter Corr, HGV driver and organiser of the National Day for Rejoin, attended the Newcastle event. He told North East Bylines:
“I deliver all around the country for work and I genuinely love it up north, so I’m chuffed that I got to go to Leeds, then Newcastle upon Tyne but for pleasure for a change. Even if that pleasure was tied to campaigning against the pain caused by Brexit.
“Events were organised all round the UK so people do not have to travel far to participate in this first nationwide day for rejoin. We wanted people to have fun and talk about the EU and all the positive benefits that will come from rejoining. Only positive, truthful campaigning will win.”
Mike Galsworthy incoming chair of the European Movement UK said:
“I am delighted to see National Rejoin March Day for Rejoin have such stunning success across the UK and even abroad Passion for the rejoin cause is springing to life everywhere. We all sense it. We all want a better future and a European Future. So there will be much more of this I suspect and next time make sure you join in.”
It was a thoroughly creative day with events ranging from marches, rallies, street stalls, picnics, a dance event and a Jane Austen themed event, as well as the Geordie (and Mackem) Rejoin a’Gogo.
And finally, in the words of NE4EU minutes secretary, Robina Jacobson:
“I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday night; catching happiness and stardust sprinkled on us by performers on stage, everyone enjoying the best of times and having the combined intention, to rejoin the European Union.”
