Many thousands gathered on London’s Embankment for a march, led by the People’s Assembly last weekend, Protestors are calling for a general election. Defying rain, and transport issues after the national rail strike was called off at the last minute, a very colourful and noisy march set off on a long route to Trafalgar Square. While a call for a general election now was the dominant theme, the cost of living crisis dominated the many union banners on display, and Just Stop Oil was also present later on in the day.
Our country in crisis
It’s interesting attending a demonstration, holding up EU flags with a small group as to just how positive people were to us. In fact, we had multiple requests for ‘Bollox to Brexit’ stickers and photographs. Whilst, of course, this was not a pro-EU demonstration, it did confirm that people are starting to understand that Brexit is the cause of so many of the economic, political, and serious migration issues we are currently facing, and which dominate the news. Before Brexit, EU nations cooperated on security and migration, and the economic situation was more stable. Regretfully, we can trace the migration crisis and the inhumane conditions that migrants have faced at Manston immigration centre right back to Brexit.
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“Tories out!”
No march is complete without chanting, great placards, and of course, fabulous costumes. The rain did not dampen spirits. So many trade unions were represented from local branches to national banners from Unison, Unite, and of course the RMT. But in addition to the “Tories out” chants there were demands for a fair wage for all and an end to so many workers having to rely on food banks to survive. It is inhumane that food banks right across the fifth richest country in the world are being overwhelmed by demand, as members of the current government were recently giving tax breaks to the elite and the very rich. What message does this send to the struggling workers of this country? It was no surprise just how angry people were on this march and how they were not afraid to articulate their anger.
Just Stop Oil and the right to protest
In addition to the main march, Just Stop Oil was also protesting in Whitehall close to Trafalgar Square and the group had a massive police presence walking with them. Whether we agree or disagree with them, the right to protest and demonstrate is a fundamental human right. They must be allowed to highlight their aims that the government is not doing enough to reduce our dependence on the fossil fuel industry. Every single one of us has a role to play in this and we must all demand that more is done
“Resistance is never futile“
We all need to remember that if we do not protest, we are in effect offering legitimacy to our very corrupt, inept and morally bankrupt government.
Resistance, as the banner says is never futile.
What say you?
