Over 200 Islanders made their way to London on Saturday to take part in the March For The Alternative. Stop The Cuts Alliance generously laid on the coaches. Here’s the view of one who marched against the cuts. Ed
I was asked if I’d like to take part in a protest march in London, and as in my 70 years I had never been on a major protest, I decided to accept the invitation from IW Branch of Unison.
I did not quite know what to expect, the coaches left Newport at 7.00am and headed for Fishbourne.
We arrived at the London Eye, and after a walk along the Thames, over the river and down onto the Embankment, we joined the march.
Half a million voices
Some three hours later we arrived in Hyde Park, where we remained for over two hours listening to speeches from the stage. We were informed that the Police estimated attendance at around 500,000.
Half a million voices – I was proud and glad that I had agreed to take part, it was an event I will never forget, I met many Islanders who I did not know and am now happy to consider to be my friends.
We arrived back in Newport just after 9pm, and I arrived home, my joints so stiff that I could hardly walk, but with one of the biggest smiles I’ve had on my face for a long time.
Thugs ruined media coverage
The negative reporting in much of the media was a travesty, it concentrated too much on the actions of a very small minority, and these were simply thugs and not participants in the march which was extremely good humoured and well behaved.
To anyone who is not sure about taking part in protests, don’t miss the chance, it will be an experience that will change your life. And no matter what the politicians may say- making your voices heard is important and can change the future.
Click on images for larger versions. There are two pages of images.
