Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I spent most of yesterday standing outside my library in Kensal Rise, north-west London, trying both to stop Brent Council removing the books and to work out what Kafkaesque logic brought me here.
Since the decision to close the library in 2010, protesters have found themselves in the crazy position of trying to stop Brent giving what was a rent-free property back to the freeholders, All Souls College. The college don't want the library back. They want it to stay as a library, but if Brent gives it up, the College may be legally obliged to demand a market rent.
If the campaigners can't raise the money the College will sell it, the council will forfeit a lot of goodwill and save very little, and a 100-year-old tradition of learning and literacy will be stamped on.
It's the Goodfellas theory of politics – that local councils are more like mob bosses than rational actors. They hate losing face. Dey run dis turf, not punk civilians. Everything can go to hell so their mob logic is sustained.
Alan Bennett, Zadie Smith, Jacqueline Wilson, Philip Pullman and others came to support us. And what did the council's leader say? "People can buy their books in Tesco now". Her replacement called off the dogs yesterday, thanks to the protest, and the books remain in place – for now. But until Brent prove otherwise, I will continue to believe there's only one sort of culture allowed around here – mob culture.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments