Thousands join cuts protest march
Saturday 26th March 2011, 11:30AM GMT.
A quarter of a million people – including thousands from the West Midlands – were protesting against government cuts in London today, in the biggest demonstration since the anti-Iraq war march.
Eight hundred coaches and scores of chartered trains set off for the biggest union-organised protest for more than 20 years.
Campaigners from the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire were among those taking part in March for the Alternative in Hyde Park.
Fifty-seven coaches organised by public sector union Unison left from the West Midlands alone from sites including Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital and Wolverhampton’s Faulkland Street car park. Coaches also left from Dale End in Birmingham, Sandwell Council House in Oldbury and sites in Walsall, West Bromwich, Stafford, Cannock and across Staffordshire.
More than 4,500 police officers were drafted in for the protest, organised by the Trade Union Congress.
The Met Police said it was aware of a “small but significant minority” planning to stage violent attacks and target banks and stores in Oxford Street.
But TUC general secretary Brendan Barber insisted it would be a peaceful event.
“It looks set to be huge, giving those who want to oppose cuts the opportunity to speak out,” he said.
Len McCluskey, of the Unite union, said those taking part were the “tip of the iceberg” and claimed millions were opposed to the cuts.
Wolverhampton council worker Janet Russon, aged 54, from Finchfield, left on a coach from the city today.
“I hope today will send a message to the coalition that the cuts are too fierce and too soon,” she said.
By Elizabeth Joyce
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What’s the point they never listen to the people of this country so why waste your time protesting….
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Judging by the pictures I’ve seen of the protest, some are in favour of alternitive cuts and some are from the small minority who voted for no cuts at the last general election. Still, we will see who the voters decide should get in as government in 4 years and 5 weeks or so….
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when will these moaners realise that they need to take there gripe to the door of the labour party who are quick to moan but fail to apologise where the mess we ar ein is their fault.
they wasted 10 years of boom and left the country pot less
we can not carry on spending what we dont have, and the fairy money gordon brown frittered with ed balls support doe snot exist – you have to borrow off china etc who spookily want interest paid
labour created an industry of pointless public jobs, which i for one am glad ot see go
wake up people, we are in as bad a state as post war, which labour caused
take the medicine, we are all suffereing
get real and the finger points squarely at those twts at the labour party
they have ruined this country and we are left picking up the pieces
god help us, labour you should be ashamed
ed balls , sums up what a bunch of clueless dead edds we have had in charge
thank god we have someone with balls to do the dirty jobs now required
spending is still at 2007 levels ,
wake up you idiots
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We are in such a bad state that we can bail out Ireland and it looks like Portugal as well. Hows that for a bankrupt country.We are still spending money we don’t have, and we have this new great government you seem to like!! Remember the bankers? Blame Labour for some of it, but do you think the Tory’s would have done anything differently in their bail out?
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Tory propaganda always spills from the mouths of no nothings like yourself. Tory,Labour Libdems..All the same. All in it for themselves. Another conflict to fight. Bankers still getting bonuses from Failure.Lies about VAT duty that could have been postponed. Need I go on? They are all the same. As for Dead edds..Isn’t that who we have in charge now just under a different colour? Yes I for one am glad we have some one we can trust to do the dirty job of screwing the working people more and more.
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A big union rally..you know, the unions; the people who fund the Labour party. When the British really get cheesed off you’ll know about it.
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I agree that the cuts are too deep and too fast. You can’t treat the economy like a grouse moor, by killing everything and then burning what’s left and then hoping for the best for next year. But there again you can’t imagine these very wealthy people having a clue. I’m still absolutely staggered that anybody could trust them. These are people who have never wanted for anything, they probably don’t even understand the concept of fear. How can they possibly understand? I’m also sick and tired of the “Labour left us in this mess” mantra. They would be doing all these cuts anyway, it’s what they exist to do. Before anybody starts, I’m not affiliated to any political party, I’m very sorry that the quaint old aim of improving things for all bit by bit has fallen on it’s fundament.
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You talking about the Labour wealthy people or the Conservative & Lib Dem wealthy people? Wealthy people in al parties in parliament.
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democracy anyone ?
we have a voted in govt who made clear their plans to get this country out of the mess labour left us in
the riots led by ed miliband and this group of sandal wearing clowns sums up their type
freedom
they ruin the country and promote the yobs who smash up whats left in this country
if you dont like democracy go to somalia and see what you get for smashing others property
i support the right to speak up, and voice disapproval but get the facts
the cost of the damage, policing and mess would have kept another left handed smoking outreach worker in a golden pension for a extra month
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You need to watch the news and keep up with events.Who started the riots? Teachers? Union leaders? Public sector workers? Got the answer yet? Open your eyes and ears you might learn something paddy!!
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So it was the Teachers and union workers that started the riots then?? Or was it just the trouble making element that go to these protests just to cause trouble. Try watching the news and opening your eyes Paddy! Stop the Tory Propaganda Tripe!
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