UVW is excited to welcome Abdoulaye Seck, known to his comrades as Papalaye, from a grassroots union of mainly undocumented Senegalese street-vendors in Spain.

The Popular Union of Street Vendors or ‘Sindicato Mantero’ was formed in 2015 when Mor Sylla, an undocumented street vendor from Senegal, fell from a balcony to his death during a police raid of his home. For the street-vendor community facing police violence, raids and persecution on a daily basis, this tragic event became the catalyst for collective resistance.

Papalaye will share his experiences and the various strategies that the ‘Sindicato Mantero’ in Barcelona have used in their ongoing struggle against precarious, illegalised working conditions and border violence in Spain.

Through their work, the ‘Sindicato Mantero’ have enabled members to leave street-selling and over 100 workers have regularised their immigration status.

Come and find out how Papalaye and his comrades have made the popular slogan “el pueblo apoya al pueblo” or “for the people by the people”, a reality ✊🏾✊🏾

                   📅 7 May 2022, 3pm - 5pm

                   📍140 Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E1 5QJ

We are a community union, bring your family, your children, and some food to share 🍲 ❤️