Simon Pirani
@simonpirani.bsky.social
Historian, researcher of energy systems, Ukraine, Russia, & more. Blog: https://peopleandnature.wordpress.com/. Author of Burning Up: A Global History of Fossil Fuel Consumption (2018) & Dissident Communists in Early Soviet Russia (2023).
Support British Library workers. They just want a pay rise big enough to cover inflation. And to be treated with respect by their management.
“The resource over which they hold custody is of great worth to the country …Would Karl Marx and Virginia Woolf, Mahatma Gandhi and George Orwell, all erstwhile users of the British Library, have produced their masterpieces without this resource?”
Imperilled culture - it really is.
Such negligence.
Imperilled culture - it really is.
Such negligence.
November 8, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Support British Library workers. They just want a pay rise big enough to cover inflation. And to be treated with respect by their management.
"Europeans recognize his vision about free public transit and universal childcare." More reactions to Mamdani's win @farefreelondon.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’
Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:18 AM
"Europeans recognize his vision about free public transit and universal childcare." More reactions to Mamdani's win @farefreelondon.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Free buses? Why not here, too! @farefreelondon.bsky.social response to Zohran Mamdani's election highlighted by @salamandernews.org. www.salamandernews.org/mamdani-pled...
Mamdani has pledged free buses for New York, could London be next?
"If New York City can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities", say campaigners Fare Free London.
www.salamandernews.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Free buses? Why not here, too! @farefreelondon.bsky.social response to Zohran Mamdani's election highlighted by @salamandernews.org. www.salamandernews.org/mamdani-pled...
Thanks @anthonymcintyre.bsky.social for republishing this tribute to Dave Temple
November 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Thanks @anthonymcintyre.bsky.social for republishing this tribute to Dave Temple
Reposted by Simon Pirani
If New York City can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities!!
Mamdani has promised to make NY buses "fast and free", plus free child care for under -5s. The win has international resonance. If New York city can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities.
November 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
If New York City can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities!!
Reposted by Simon Pirani
Mamdani has promised to make NY buses "fast and free", plus free child care for under -5s. The win has international resonance. If New York city can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities.
November 5, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Mamdani has promised to make NY buses "fast and free", plus free child care for under -5s. The win has international resonance. If New York city can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities.
Mamdani has promised to make NY buses "fast and free", plus free child care for under-5s. @farefreelondon.bsky.social says: “This win has international resonance. If New York City can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities." www.farefreelondon.org/posts/mamdan...
Mamdani’s New York win takes free public transport vision to the next level
Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York mayoral election yesterday shines a spotlight on the potential for free public transport in the world’s biggest cities. Making the city’s buses “fast and free”...
www.farefreelondon.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Mamdani has promised to make NY buses "fast and free", plus free child care for under-5s. @farefreelondon.bsky.social says: “This win has international resonance. If New York City can consider making buses free, so can London and other big world cities." www.farefreelondon.org/posts/mamdan...
Below, Durham Energy Council. Above, women coalfield activists of the past. Last session of great 2-day event by Durham Energy Inst (of the uni) and Redhills, the community project in the old miners' hall. The past we inherit, the future we build. @redhillsdurham.bsky.social @durham.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Below, Durham Energy Council. Above, women coalfield activists of the past. Last session of great 2-day event by Durham Energy Inst (of the uni) and Redhills, the community project in the old miners' hall. The past we inherit, the future we build. @redhillsdurham.bsky.social @durham.ac.uk
Reposted by Simon Pirani
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
November 4, 2025 at 4:14 AM
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
Reposted by Simon Pirani
An extraordinary collection that sheds light on the continuing tradition of Russian political dissidents in the age of Putin. These voices speak from an unimaginable abyss and yet they inspire hope with poetry, philosophy and profanity, proving that the spirit of defiance can never be extinguished👇
Please join us Thurs 20 Nov, 7pm, to launch this book: English translations of speeches in court by anti-war protesters in Russia. We want to ensure their voices are heard more widely in the English-speaking world. At Pelican House in London, also livestreamed. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/try-me-for...
November 2, 2025 at 11:45 PM
An extraordinary collection that sheds light on the continuing tradition of Russian political dissidents in the age of Putin. These voices speak from an unimaginable abyss and yet they inspire hope with poetry, philosophy and profanity, proving that the spirit of defiance can never be extinguished👇
Please join us Thurs 20 Nov, 7pm, to launch this book: English translations of speeches in court by anti-war protesters in Russia. We want to ensure their voices are heard more widely in the English-speaking world. At Pelican House in London, also livestreamed. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/try-me-for...
October 31, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Please join us Thurs 20 Nov, 7pm, to launch this book: English translations of speeches in court by anti-war protesters in Russia. We want to ensure their voices are heard more widely in the English-speaking world. At Pelican House in London, also livestreamed. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/try-me-for...
Reposted by Simon Pirani
The British Library would amount to nothing if it only had its hordes of books. The real power is in the immeasurable treasures of staff expertise and dedication. Pay them real money!
Out this morning supporting British Library workers demanding decent pay. I have been using the library regularly for 20+ years
October 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The British Library would amount to nothing if it only had its hordes of books. The real power is in the immeasurable treasures of staff expertise and dedication. Pay them real money!
Out this morning supporting British Library workers demanding decent pay. I have been using the library regularly for 20+ years
October 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Out this morning supporting British Library workers demanding decent pay. I have been using the library regularly for 20+ years
#BritishLibraryonstrike from Monday 27th, for an inflation-proof pay rise. What's the matter with management, treating these brilliant workers with disrespect? Researchers who use the library, me included, rely on them. I'll be there supporting them on Monday www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
Support the British Library strikers
More than 300 PCS members at the British Library in London are striking over their poverty wages for two weeks from Monday (27) to Sunday, 9 November and need your support in person and online.
www.pcs.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
#BritishLibraryonstrike from Monday 27th, for an inflation-proof pay rise. What's the matter with management, treating these brilliant workers with disrespect? Researchers who use the library, me included, rely on them. I'll be there supporting them on Monday www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
Thanks Posle Media for interviewing me about our book, Voices Against Putin's War. @labour-hub.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social @anticapitalistmusings.com @ensu-resu.bsky.social www.posle.media/article/we-w...
“We Wanted to Show the Whole Range of Anti-War Resistance in Russia” - После - Posle Media
What can courtroom speeches by imprisoned protesters tell us about the breadth of anti-war resistance in Russia? British historian Simon Pirani discusses his new book Voices Against Putin’s War with i...
www.posle.media
October 23, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Thanks Posle Media for interviewing me about our book, Voices Against Putin's War. @labour-hub.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social @anticapitalistmusings.com @ensu-resu.bsky.social www.posle.media/article/we-w...
Great to see our book, Voices Against Putin's War, in the front window at @housmansbookshop.bsky.social. @ensu-resu.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Great to see our book, Voices Against Putin's War, in the front window at @housmansbookshop.bsky.social. @ensu-resu.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Pirani
Trials of anti-war protesters “provide a snapshot of Russia’s wartime lurch towards a form of fascism”
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/20/r... @ensu-resu.bsky.social @labour-hub.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social @ukrainesolidarity.bsky.social @ukrainesolscot.bsky.social
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/20/r... @ensu-resu.bsky.social @labour-hub.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social @ukrainesolidarity.bsky.social @ukrainesolscot.bsky.social
Raging against Putin’s war machine
By Simon Pirani. Republished from Jacobin, with thanks On May 16, 2022, the Ukrainian artist Bohdan Ziza poured blue and yellow paint – the colours of his country’s flag – on to a municipal adminis…
peopleandnature.wordpress.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Trials of anti-war protesters “provide a snapshot of Russia’s wartime lurch towards a form of fascism”
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/20/r... @ensu-resu.bsky.social @labour-hub.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social @ukrainesolidarity.bsky.social @ukrainesolscot.bsky.social
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/20/r... @ensu-resu.bsky.social @labour-hub.bsky.social @ukrainesol.bsky.social @ukrainesolidarity.bsky.social @ukrainesolscot.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Pirani
Our bulletin #167: Raging against Putin’s war machine/ “Treason” detentions in occupied territories/ Why young Ukrainians fight/ Russian victimisation of Crimean Tatar women/ Fascists meet in St Petersburg/ Systematic denial of fair trial rights/ & more
ukraine-solidarity.org/2025/10/19/n...
ukraine-solidarity.org/2025/10/19/n...
News from Ukraine Bulletin 167 (20 October)
DOWNLOAD THE BULLETIN AS A PDF HERE In this week’s bulletin: Raging against Putin’s war machine/ “Treason” detentions in occupied territories/ Why young Ukrainians fight/ Russian victimization of C…
ukraine-solidarity.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Our bulletin #167: Raging against Putin’s war machine/ “Treason” detentions in occupied territories/ Why young Ukrainians fight/ Russian victimisation of Crimean Tatar women/ Fascists meet in St Petersburg/ Systematic denial of fair trial rights/ & more
ukraine-solidarity.org/2025/10/19/n...
ukraine-solidarity.org/2025/10/19/n...
Reposted by Simon Pirani
Greener Travel: Why do busy city-dwellers find it so hard to imagine a cleaner, healthier, car-free world, when many of the answers are within our grasp.
Hear from Possible and Fare Free London in a relaxed discussion by St. John's society at the Brookmill pub www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greener-tr...
Hear from Possible and Fare Free London in a relaxed discussion by St. John's society at the Brookmill pub www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greener-tr...
Greener Travel Now
Why do busy city-dwellers find it so hard to imagine a cleaner, healthier, car-free world, when many of the answers are within our grasp
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Greener Travel: Why do busy city-dwellers find it so hard to imagine a cleaner, healthier, car-free world, when many of the answers are within our grasp.
Hear from Possible and Fare Free London in a relaxed discussion by St. John's society at the Brookmill pub www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greener-tr...
Hear from Possible and Fare Free London in a relaxed discussion by St. John's society at the Brookmill pub www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greener-tr...
In south London? Hear from @farefreelondon.bsky.social and London cyclists about how to achieve a "cleaner, healthier, car-free world". Monday 20 Oct 7.0pm, Brookmill pub SE8. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greener-tr...
Greener Travel Now
Why do busy city-dwellers find it so hard to imagine a cleaner, healthier, car-free world, when many of the answers are within our grasp
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In south London? Hear from @farefreelondon.bsky.social and London cyclists about how to achieve a "cleaner, healthier, car-free world". Monday 20 Oct 7.0pm, Brookmill pub SE8. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greener-tr...
Reposted by Simon Pirani
Wow the Greens got permission from the late, great poet Benjamin Zephaniah’s family for Zack Polanski to perform ‘British’
What an honour
What an honour
October 16, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Wow the Greens got permission from the late, great poet Benjamin Zephaniah’s family for Zack Polanski to perform ‘British’
What an honour
What an honour
Reposted by Simon Pirani
A tribute to our comrade Dave Temple, who worked at Murton colliery in county Durham and played a leading part in the mineworkers’ union for several decades, and died on 13 September aged 81
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/d...
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/d...
Dave Temple, mineworker and militant
Dave Temple, who died on 13 September aged 81, was a lifelong militant in the labour movement. He worked as an electrician at Murton colliery, county Durham, and played a leading part in the minewo…
peopleandnature.wordpress.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:22 AM
A tribute to our comrade Dave Temple, who worked at Murton colliery in county Durham and played a leading part in the mineworkers’ union for several decades, and died on 13 September aged 81
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/d...
peopleandnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/d...
Reposted by Simon Pirani
Our bulletin #166: Courtroom rebels standing up to warmonger Putin/ The price of Putin’s peace: UK far right Russia connection / Crimea activist Volodymyr Ananiyev’s detention extended/ Nationalisation of ‘assets’ in occupied Crimea/ Drone workshop/ & more
ukraine-solidarity.org/wp-content/u...
ukraine-solidarity.org/wp-content/u...
ukraine-solidarity.org
October 13, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Our bulletin #166: Courtroom rebels standing up to warmonger Putin/ The price of Putin’s peace: UK far right Russia connection / Crimea activist Volodymyr Ananiyev’s detention extended/ Nationalisation of ‘assets’ in occupied Crimea/ Drone workshop/ & more
ukraine-solidarity.org/wp-content/u...
ukraine-solidarity.org/wp-content/u...