Hackney rally and streetparty
- | 06.11.2000 21:53
After a day of actions, demonstrations and pickets against social benefit cuts, almost a thousand protestors gathered at 6pm in front of Hackney Town Hall to show their anger about the council's "austerity" measures - taking money from the poorest.
The rally coincided with a council meeting that took place at the same time inside the building, and at which some of the most drastic measures were to be decided. Hundreds of council workers, members of community groups, workers and residents - supported by Reclaim The Streets activists and a Samba Band - gathered in front of the Town Hall chanting "No more cuts!"
Speakers from several unions and community groups explained how the council had wasted large sums of money up until its final bankruptcy and suggested that the council should be held responsible - not the residents suffering under the present cuts.
To the rythm of Samba drums the crowd finally moved onto the street, blockaded it and started a cheerful streetparty. A small number of riot cops was ordered to block one side of the street but were only watching as hundreds of people were dancing in the pouring rain. After almost two hours of party the crowd moved in front of Hackney Town Hall again to listen to the final speeches and then dissolved.
Speakers from several unions and community groups explained how the council had wasted large sums of money up until its final bankruptcy and suggested that the council should be held responsible - not the residents suffering under the present cuts.
To the rythm of Samba drums the crowd finally moved onto the street, blockaded it and started a cheerful streetparty. A small number of riot cops was ordered to block one side of the street but were only watching as hundreds of people were dancing in the pouring rain. After almost two hours of party the crowd moved in front of Hackney Town Hall again to listen to the final speeches and then dissolved.
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Comments
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fantastic demo
10.11.2000 12:57
When the torrential rain started pouring down the cops and councilors must have been hoping that the demo would be a wash out. But we kept drumming and chanting and it made the day even better.
The spirit of Hackney workers and residents plus supporters was an inspiration. Well done to the samba band!
One thing puzzles me though. You report the demo supported by workers, community groups, residents and Reclaim the Streets. But you forget to mention the Socialists. Of course many socialists are council workers and UNISON stewards, parents occupying nursuries and Hackney residents. But it sounded a little bit like you were deliberately excluding them! The photos pretty much miss their placards somehow.
(A bit like the Prague documentary on TV which managed to avoid showing any socialists placards--odd when there were thousands there--but that's the TV companies for you)
We can't fall into the same trap. Unity is strength, lets not get sectarian towards each other.
ALL MUST BE WELCOME.
In solidarity, see you on the next day of action.
Let's beat the cuts.
a hackney resident
Hackney Strikeback!
14.12.2000 23:03
Rhys
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