It really is not about Russell Brand: why we marched towards austerity

A march organised by the People’s Assembly attracted an estimated 50,000 to London on Saturday to protest against the coalition’s austerity measures. Speakers integrated Owen Jones, Caroline Lucas, Mark Steel and the comedian Russell Brand.

Sam Fairburn, the group’s national secretary, stated: “Cuts are killing men and women and destroying cherished public providers which have served generations.”

Guardian readers have been telling us why they attended the protest. Attendees who contacted us have been annoyed at the lack of coverage of the march in the media, with the BBC in distinct criticised for their lack of coverage.

Exactly where you at the protest? Include your very own accounts in the comments thread under

“I felt the march galvanised us”

I was there nowadays in the NHS bloc, the march was extremely various but variations aside we have been there to place on an united front and let our faces be noticed &amp voices be heard, younger and previous.

To be sincere for me this march was for the people, going down Regent Street I hoped the individuals we passed realised there were men and women standing up to the ConDems in the analogue world as effectively as the digital.

I was not amazed to learn the BBC ignored us once more as they did the 50,000 in Manchester when folks marched for the NHS outside Tory conference.

I never pretend to think that a bunch of speakers preaching to the converted will change the way we are but I felt the march galvanised us.

There are 10 long months until finally the election and those that marched today know that if the Tories continue to be in power which is the death knell of the public sector.

labmonkey181

“Even the outdated bill have been enjoying the environment”

It was lovely to see so numerous households taking part, with the young and previous marching collectively, and several men and women of distinct faiths and ethnicity joining in, assisting to develop a carnival environment.

Even the Outdated Bill have been enjoying the environment and the climate, with a few of them obtaining into the spirit, and chatting about the concerns such as their shrinking pensions.

I just hope that yesterday’s peaceful march will inspire 10 instances as several people to get element in October.

Stephen Porter

“This is individuals across the social spectrum”

Russel Brand was a single man at an occasion of thousands. He was one of a dozen or a lot more speakers.

This is not lease a mob. This is people across the social spectrum operating in the public sector, personal people who care about the services that the state supplies, and standing up for all of us so that we may possibly still have a good schooling, a welfare state when we want it, and help when we are sick or elderly.

jimpson

“Two of the best speeches came from non-celebrities”

Two of the greatest speeches came from non-celebrities campaigning in communities: females from East London fighting for properties for households, and wellness care staff from Bassetlaw fighting cuts.

It is that combine of local actions backing the inspiring ideas from folks like Owen Jones and Caroline Lucas that make this motion far more and a lot more crucial and Labour sadly significantly less and much less pertinent for the 21st century.

A meeting I attended at which Owen Jones spoke was between the most inspiring and optimistic I have skilled in 30 many years of political activity, sparking a broad range of actions by a quite varied group of folks. I feel a lot a lot more is going to come irrespective of national elections.

I tend to be sceptical about protest marches per se, but I have been impressed how an alternative coalition is developing in communities through the People’s Assembly, not only to argue against the impacts of austerity policies and practices, but also to propose substitute measures. I adhere to online groups which disseminate much information about local actions but also worldwide issues, raising awareness and solidarity.

I think this is forming an interesting counterpoint to the rise of UKIP from the opposite standpoint with its rhetoric of ”the people’s army.” It would seem the classic mainstream parties are caught in these two headlights like rather perplexed rabbits. They also have far fewer government powers offered the dominance of international capital, which movements like this are beginning to challenge in, I believe, some fascinating and new ways despite some traditional approaches like coming collectively occasionally in public events and protests nevertheless being component of the mix. But with out some visibility of program growth is difficult.

I am also sceptical about conspiracy theories, but I was surprised that The Guardian looks to have been the only mainstream media to cover the occasion, in spite of it becoming nicely organised, peaceful, humorous and non-threatening, nicely received by crowds of consumers in central London, and starting up right outdoors the BBC to make that level about their coverage of protests compared to the volumes about UKIP. I have manufactured a formal complaint to the BBC and could pursue that even more.

artery

It really is not about Russell Brand: why we marched towards austerity