Anti cuts demo and rally 5th Feb 2011, Liverpool

Despite heavy rain and high winds around 800 people marched through the streets of Liverpool on Saturday 5^th February to oppose the governments proposed cuts. They marched to the Anglican Cathedral for a rally which attracted over 1500 people. 

The rally was opened by The Socialist Singers with a mixture of traditional songs of resistance such as ‘Freedom’ and modern topical arrangements such as ‘Fat Cat’ (sung to the theme tune of TV show Top Cat).

The speakers included representatives from the trade union movement, an FE student and Tony Benn.  All of them deplored the tactics and policies of the ConDem government and Gail Cartmel, Assistant General Secretary of Unite, described how Cameron was completing the unfinished business of the last Tory government, which is to shrink the state and public sector. 

Chris Baugh, Assistant General Secretary of PCS, said that workers are not prepared to pay for the economic crisis which was caused by ‘high octane free market capitalism’ and described the cuts as the ‘biggest attack on the social gains fought for and won by the working class’.  He received a standing ovation as he concluded that this is now an opportunity to talk about what kind of society we want to live in and that another world is possible.

Student Lizzie O’ Rourke asked if we live in a democracy or an elected dictatorship and declared that this government doesn’t want working class kids to have the same opportunities as their kids.  She spoke of the fundamental human right to education and asked ‘how dare they take that away from us’.  She concluded, to a standing ovation, that the government want the working class back in their place and believing as her grandparents’ generation did that ‘University is not for the likes of us.’

North West secretary of the NUT, Avis Gilmore, made reference to the struggle in Egypt as she said that Cameron had told Mubarak to listen to the Egyptian people, but she asked, ‘Will he listen to his own people?’

Tony Benn concluded with a rallying call that “All progress has been made throughout our history by people doing exactly what you’re doing today, demonstrating.”  He also acknowledged the continuation of Liverpool’s history of political and social activism following the council’s decision this week to withdraw from the government’s ‘Big Society’ scheme.

Events in February

Its a busy few weeks ahead especially as local councils will be setting their budgets.  For each event listed I have tried to include details of who is organising it and the role Merseyside Right to Work is taking. 

Sat 5th Feb Rally and demo against cuts

Organised by the Public Sector Alliance and supported by RtW.  Assemble at 11am behind Liverpool Town Hall, march to Anglican Cathedral for rally with several keynote speakers including Tony Benn

Weds 9th Feb Lobby Knowsley Council Meeting - Cancelled - council have reversed their decision to close the school - this is a real victory for people power and should be an inspiration to us all.

Knowsley Council are proposing to close Christ the King High School, just two years after it opened in a new Private Finance Initiative building scheme which will cost the council an estimated £157 million over the next 25 years.  The council are debating the school's future at this meeting.  Parents are opposed to the closure of the school and Right to Work can offer their support.

Assemble from 5pm to lobby councillors (Meeting starts at 6pm)

Thurs 10th Feb Open Meeting against the cuts

Organised by Liverpool Trades Council with several keynote speakers including Ricky Tomlinson, Ken Loach, trade unionist and a student.

7.30pm at the Green Room, Duke Street, Liverpool.

Sat 12th Feb People's convention

Organised by Right to Work and Labour Representation Group

Workshops include how councils can resist cuts, disabled people at the forefront of resistance, students at the forefront of struggle.  This convention will be key in uniting anti cuts groups and providing a strategy for the coming months.  Please try to attend.

Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

http://righttowork.org.uk/2010/11/peoples-convention/

Weds 2nd Mar Lobby Liverpool Council Budget Meeting

Liverpool Council is setting its budget at this meeting and has already announced that 1500 jobs will go. Lets make this the biggest lobby possible and make lots of noise so the councillors inside can hear us.  Bring your whistles, horns and vuvuzelas!

Assemble from 4pm (Meeting starts at 5pm)

Liverpool Town Hall, Dale Street, Liverpool.

When they say cutback, we say fightback.