We were there .... TUC March & Rally 2011 ... Marching for an Alternative

26 March 2011

On Saturday 26th March 2011, half a million protesters took to the streets of London to support the anti-cuts demonstration organised by the TUC. In what was a largely peaceful march, members of the public from all walks of life joined forces to show the Con-Dem government just what they thought of their sweeping agenda of cuts. Winding their way through London, the march culminated in a mass rally where speakers addressed the crowd, including Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party as well as TUC general secretary Brendan Barber and Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary.

Following are personal accounts of some of those who participated. If you wish to add your experience of the day please email to youth@cwu.org

"Was a great March, lots of families and a load of banners all the way through the march. Massive turn out and a great atmosphere it's the first time I've been to anything on this scale. It was great to see so many different unions and ordinary people involved. Trouble wise there was nothing near the march it all happened well away from it by a small group who we could spot along the way."

Rob
Capital Branch and London regional youth secretary

"As someone who has been on many marches going back to the later 1970s I expected a similar atmosphere on this one. However, this March was markedly different in the diversity of trade unions, political groups and ordinary non aligned people who took part. There really is a sense that what the Tory Lib Dem coalition is doing is based on ideology rather than fairness. The claim "we are all in this together" rings incredibly hollow as one after another groups of disadvantaged and ordinary people are scape-goated for the banking crisis. Vince Cable says today the Government will ignore half a million voices on the streets of London. What sort of new politics is that Vince?

The diversity and numbers of people attending a Trade Union rally is evidence that the coalition cuts do not have support in the country. The pace and severity of the cuts is generated by the Tory and Lib Dem ideology not by necessity. The only people not represented on the March were the rich bankers and traders who caused the crisis and continue to rake the money in.

The next step must be a concerted campaign to make the Fat Cats pay. If half a million can march in London many more can get involved by joining the campaign for the Robin Hood Tax aimed at re-distributing the wealth from the rich to the poor. Get involved and find out about local campaigns and groups who are opposing this wholesale attack on ordinary people."

Graham Colk
Acting Assistant Secretary to the YAC

My brother and a friend were ahead on the march - they had gotten a coach from Exeter with Unite. Just to make up the numbers. One is a builder the other front of house at a restaurant. You don't have to be a union member to want to fight the cuts. With hundreds of other groups represented. I saw police federation members. Nurses in uniform. Loads of families, it was like a carnival. The noise was amazing, as I moved along the march soundsystems were playing all sorts - from dubstep and reggea, to The Beatles and The Clash. Steel drummers were kicking out fantastic tunes and loads of people were dancing .... Read Luke's full blog of the day >> here <<

Luke Mason
Branch Youth Officer
Western Counties Branch

eNewsletters

We were there .... TUC March & Rally 2011 ... Marching for an Alternative

MyProfile