Today's demonstration in Preston against the swingeing cuts being imposed on us by the ConDem government, by Lancashire County Council and by Preston City Council was at least 4 times bigger and about 20 times louder than the first demo last month. About 400 people, including Trade Unionists, Students, Carers and People with Disabilities marched past Preston Markets, down Orchard Street, onto Friargate, then back to the Flagmarket.

Drummers gave the demo real impact

The atmosphere on the demo was upbeat. Onlookers waved and cheered, some shoppers even joined the march.

All ages were represented on the Demo.

Carers and People With Disabilities were there to campaign
against cuts to short breaks/respite facilities

There was a real sense of enthusiasm among the protesters, the marchers were inspired by events in Tunisa and Egypt, and loudly applauded any speaker who mentioned Tahrir Square. The revolutions in those countries show that nothing is impossible, if the people move in their millions.

There was real anger at the cuts, and many people, particularly carers for people with disabilities were feeling real pain. Stories of the effects of cuts on Youth Services, Education, Domestic Violence Services and many others underlined just how serious and important this struggle is.

People's lives genuinely depend on it.

We need to unite to fight all the cuts, whoever makes them.

Anit-Cuts Demonstrators Thronging down Orchard Street
Chants included "They say cutback, We say fightback!"

Gavin Hartley of PCS gave a rousing speech offering a way forward to build the anti-cuts campaign: uniting people by opposing ALL the cuts


Bernard Fleming spoke on the threat facing family carers

Reni Eddo-Lodge said that there was more to come from the student movement - a key part of the anti-cuts movement

Preston's MP, Mark Hendrick spoke at the rally as did John Swindells, Preston Labour Councillor, neither said much about Preston Labour's
proposals to make cuts to Preston Guild Hall.

Valerie Wise said "The cuts are not theoretical, they are real they are hitting real people, now"


 http://riversstream.blogspot.com/2011/02/lancashires-outcry-against-cuts-grows.html