Sunderland Against the Cuts Join London Protests

Sunderland Against The Cuts Marching

Hundreds of thousands of people were marching through London on Saturday to protest against the government’s programme of spending cuts.

Sunderland against the Cuts were just one of the groups trying to make an impact. At 5am on Saturday morning members from Sunderland against the Cuts were tired but eager to go to London and show their support against the budget cuts.

Leading the way was Gary Duncan, organiser for the group and with support from members they marched through London in the hope to stop the budget cuts. When getting off the coach the atmosphere was high and whilst walking with the group we could see how passionate they were on the subject.

Many of the members joined in with chants,the most popular being “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts” and “Students and workers, unite and fight”, many held signs and flags showing their discontent with the cuts.

Many were blowing whistles and carrying banners, some of which call for a general strike others were simply concerned about the wellbeing of their families, communities and careers. They marched past the Houses of Commons before heading for a rally in Hyde Park where the atmosphere was high.

Between 250,000 to 500,000 were estimated to have been attending the event, many from different parts of England hoping to have their voice heard. Many joined in the march, from concerned families and students to the elderly and workers worried about their communities. Sunderland Against the cuts we’re just one of many participating in this peaceful protest trying to make a difference.
Sunderland Against the Cuts is a grassroots campaign against the spending cuts being imposed on job and public services. They are open to working with anyone who wants to fight the cuts which they believe to be needless; workers, trade unionists, students, community organisations and political activists.

However it wasn’t just Sunderland against the Cuts who we’re showing their anger with the cuts. Many people from across England came to voice their opinions, two people we saw were wearing pig masks, chanting in the street with signs saying: “There is an alternative, invest in housing and transport”. Others wore masks based on the popular franchise ‘V for Vendetta’ and others wore masks with David Cameron’s face on them.
It was only until later on that evening when most of the peaceful protesters had left when groups wearing scarves to hide their faces started attacking shops and bankswell away from the march, clashing with some of the 4,500 police on duty. The Metropolitan Police said 145 of the arrests were in connection with a demonstration by campaign group UK Uncut, which occupied luxury grocery store Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly in protest over alleged tax avoidance by the business’s part owners.
The group, which has carried out a number of protests in recent months, has distanced itself from protesters who damaged property and attacked police on Saturday.Northern TUC Regional Secretary Kevin Rowan said: “The Government says there is no alternative, but the number of people coming from across the North East – with people willing to leave as early as 3am – illustrates the strength and breadth of support for an alternative to unnecessary and savage spending cuts.”
You can listen to some of the reasons as to why people were marching below.