News / Politics
Zack Polanski treated like rock star at rave-style ‘Green Party party’
“Bristol is a city that knows what it’s like to protest, to come together and stand up. We are a city that knows when there’s a statue of oppression, that statue is going in the water.”
These were the words of Green Party leader Zack Polanski at the organisations’s rave-style party on Sunday.
The politician was speaking, or more accurately shouting, at the latest in a series of events aimed at raising money for the Greens while having fun.
is needed now More than ever
Organiser Green Space runs parties under the strap line “They’ve got the billionaires, we’ve got the boogie”, and wants to show that politics doesn’t have to be dusty and dry.
The event packed out Sawmills
Following events in Leeds and London that have raised £37,000, the organisation turned its attention to Bristol, packing out Sawmills on Saturday night with hundreds of supporters dancing to throbbing DJ sets.
The St Jude’s venue was like something out of the old days of Motion – and a world away from the decorum and restraint normally associated with politics.
A zanily-dressed crowd of mainly 20- and -30-somethings rocked out on the dance floor while a bar poured out pints and a food stall served up chips.
The place felt like something out of the old days of Motion
When Polanski stepped up to the mic, his entrance was greeted with something like fervour.
“Look around – this is amazing,” he said. All of these people from different backgrounds, different stories, and we are here in our collective power to demand better.
“Who is ready for rent controls? Who is ready to tax the rich?”
Every sentence the politician spoke was met with rapturous cheers and applause, especially when he talked about “our brothers and sisters in Berlin” following Saturday’s attack at the city’s Pride event.
“We stand with you in solidarity,” he said. “Division and hate will never win. Love will win the day.”
“When we come together like this we are unstoppable and no one can take hope off us.
“Hope in wealth taxes. Hope in rent controls. Hope in saying and doing and ending the genocide.
Fans swamped the politician after his speech
After leaving the stage, Polanski was swamped by fans asking for pictures. They shook his hand, embraced him and told him how much he meant to them.
It was like being in the presence of a rock star.
Zack Polanski has not had the best time recently. He has been criticised for not paying council tax on his house boat and for retweeting a critical post about the Golders Green attack.
He still faces ridicule after a footage emerged of him claiming he could enlarge breasts through hypnosis.
But here, in the green, green lands of Bristol, the man is adored.
All photos: Molly Pipe
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