Socialist party running West Tyrone candidate

A 24-YEAR-OLD woman who spoke at a rally alongside world-famous climate activist Greta Thunberg is standing as a candidate for the Socialist Party in West Tyrone in the upcoming Assembly election.

Amy Ferguson, who works as a barista and is the secretary of Unite’s Northern Ireland Hospitality branch, is calling for urgent action to stop the global “climate catastrophe”.

During the recent protests against climate change at the COP26 summit, Ms Ferguson spoke at a rally in Glasgow alongside the well-known Swedish campaigner, Greta Thunberg.

She has also helped to organise Earth Strike rallies locally, as well as taking part in protests against gold mining in the Sperrins.

But the environment is just one of many issues that the Socialist Party hopeful is focusing on during the campaign.

An activist with socialist-feminist group ROSA, Ms Ferguson is currently helping to shape a charter of measures against sexual harassment in the hospitality industry. In 2018, she took part in the Abortion Pill Bus which challenged Northern Ireland’s laws on terminations.

The 24-year-old was also involved in the organisation of Omagh’s first Pride parade last year and spoke from the platform.

A member of Omagh Trade Union Council, Ms Ferguson said, “I’m standing in this election to provide an anti-sectarian, socialist alternative and a voice for workers, women and the environment.

“The pandemic has shown the crucial role which workers play in allowing society to function. But while establishment politicians applauded essential workers, they’re now telling us we have to tighten our belts as the cost of living skyrockets and big business makes record profits.”

She added, “Enough is enough.”