A man looks at protestors of the "Occupy Sydney" movement as they march in front of the Reserve Bank of Australia in central Sydney November 5, 2011. Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday against economic inequality.
IN PHOTO: A man looks at protestors of the "Occupy Sydney" movement as they march in front of the Reserve Bank of Australia in central Sydney November 5, 2011. Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday against economic inequality. Reuters/Daniel Munoz

London witnessed massive protests recently, speraheded by thousands of people raging against the British government’s austerity programs and arbitrary spending cuts. The massive show of force succeeded in highlighting the plight of the middle class and other vulnerable sections of the society facing pressures from the squeeze on education, healthcare, housing and welfare.

Joined by people from all over the country, who came down to London to join the march that started from Victoria Street to Parliament Square in the noon, it was a massive show of protest against homelessness, inequality and child poverty, which are increasing. It has also been reinforced by the studies made by New Policy Institute that said 29 percent of children in the U.K have fallen into poverty, after the housing costs went out of control.

The protesters alleged that the Conservative government is trying to punish the public by cutting millions of pounds in public spending in the name of managing budget deficit, which was mainly caused by the bail-out package offered for troubled banks during the 2008 financial crisis.

Massive March

The march started in a festive mood and had Red flares as the rally got underway near the Bank of England and sent plumes of scarlet smoke through the financial district's narrow streets. Demonstrators waved placards, balloons and banners on the way to Parliament Square.

“It will be the start of a campaign of protest, strikes, direct action and civil disobedience up and down the country,” said Sam Fairbairn of the People's Assembly, which organised the protests. "We will not rest until austerity is history and our services are back in public hands and majority is put first,” he added.

Economic Stimulus

Joining the march was Charlotte Church, Welsh singer, who branded austerity as "unethical, unfair and unnecessary.” She urged all to save “ourselves from decades of yuppie rule', reports The Independent. The 29-year old singer called the idea of British austerity as “the big lie" and said what the country needs economic stimulation “to get the blood pumping.” Church told the cheering crowd that her pride as a Britisher stems from National Health Service, the welfare system and David Bowie and not from the Union Jack.

The protest saw a wider participation from social activists, union leaders and campaign groups who vehemently spoke against cuts in public services, health, welfare and education, which they fear will be out in the open when the government’s unveils the budget in July.

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at k.kumar@ibtimes.com.au)

RELATED STORIES