"Our member Bob was also a member of Socialist Outlook, CARF and active in many labour movement and progressive campaigns. He will be greatly missed by the movement as a whole." Birmingham Troops Out Movement "Bob served CARF consistently for many years, as treasurer, and then as Secretary. We will ajl miss his contribution.": Birmingham Campaign Against Racism and Fascism 'His consistent support and involvement in many of the major class battles the last decades have witnessed -the miners, the printers, Burnsall's - and the eagerness with which Bob set about anti-racist and antifascist struggles illustrate his dedication to the cause of working class emancipation.
This memory will live long in us all and be an inspiration to continue the fight that he so unsparingly gave his life for." Workers Power "I met Bob at Bangor Socialist Outlook Summer School '92 and was struck by his warmth and good spirits. He was a friendly comrade and a real working class militant. The labour movement needs many more Bob Smiths." Barrow-In-Furness Socialist Outlook Supporter "I first got to know Bob in the early 1980s when he managed the Other Bookshop in Birmingham; he was the public face of the ONE HUNDRED friends and comrades honoured Bob Smith's memory at a special meeting on May 28, celebrated his commitment to the struggle for socialism, and pledged to continue the fight for a socialist world.
Marian Brain introduced the meeting. Feeling the deep loss of her friend and comrade, she emphasised how Bob would want us to all of us to be a part of the fight to end racism and. sexism, capitalism and imperialism globally. Bob was a trade. union activist who was committed to women's liberation.
This year Bob was standing for election to his union's National Executive. He spent many hours working to develop the policies of his union in a socialist direction.
During the last period of his life Bob worked very hard against low pay. He played an important role in attempting to establish a union at Burnsall's where the workers were predominantly Asian women. Smith was angered by the fail.. ure of trade union bureaucrats to build support for their struggle.
He was involved in all the main battles in defence of trade union rights, culminating recently in the struggle to defend mining jobs. In his final months, Brain continued, Bob was deeply upset at the attacks by Birmingham's Labour administrators on low paid workers.
Whilst looking through her photo album, added Marian, she noticed Bob on the protest outside Birmingham's International Convention Centre against Utah getting the Olympics because of its hostility to women's rights to control their own fertility. Over the years Bob was involved in strugglesto defend women's rights.
Shirley Joshi, from Birmingham Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, in a moving and inspiring speech emphasised Bob's commitment to building an anti-racist and anti-fascist movement that would confront racists and fascists wherever they appear. She explained that Bob was never sectarian and seriously attempted to build a Burnsalls: one of many strikes backed by Bab united movement.
A group called Telling Tales performed Silent No Longer, highlighting struggles by women and men in Nicaragua, El Salvador and throughout Central America, illustrating the internationalism of the whole event.
One highlight of the night was Mohammed Idrish from the West Midlands Anti-Deportation Campaign. Idrish gave a very personal and moving speech about Bob's involvement in the campaign that enabled him to stay in this country. After sharing many of his memories of Bob over the years, Idrish concluded that he was one of many people who owe Bob a great debt and would never forget him.
Bob Smith GRtB M For the last period of his life Bob was working in the Trade Union Club, attempting to ensure its survival. Birmingham's Troops Out Movement wrote "his job at the Union Club will be hard to fill with someone with such commitment, friendliness and good humour."
Barbara, the manager of the Club spoke about the short time she knew Bob and how their friendship meant a lot to her. One of Bob's favourite words, 'fantastic, had become one of the most used words at the Club. Bob used it to encourage involvement in the Club.
Bernie Hynes from Leicester Socialist Oullook remembered how back in 1982 Bob introduced him to the Fourth International's review International Viewpoint, "He was proud of the Fourth International and had a collection of photographs which included a photo of comrades in the Mexican PRT. To Bob, the International was a living manifestation of what workers could and should achieve. He would often talk about this to me and about building the FI in Britain" added Hynes.
Alan Thornett from Socialist Outlook's editorial board spoke last. Thornett gave an overview of what Bob stood for. He sketched recent developments and struggles in western Europe and the increased combativity of the working class in Germany, Italy and France.
He pointed out the importance of internationalism and how Bob was proud to be in an organisation that was defending Bosnia from ethnic cleansing.
At the meeting unveiled a portrait of Bob with the plaque to his memory which read: 'Bob Smith. A Loyal And Trusted Friend'.
After Banner Theatre's moving singing of Beloved Comrade, which pledges the continuation of the struggle, the evening ended with a rousing singing of the Internationale.