On Saturday afternoon after the Stop The Cuts march in Newport, one Island resident took herself to Barclays Bank to carry out another peaceful protest. In her own words, Linda tells us more. Ed
After attending the swell of people marching against the cuts this morning and listening to the various speakers, I went along to Barclays armed only with a trolley, banner and poetry book.
After setting up inside the bank I read an appropriate poem aloud to the staff and customers ‘A Happy Life’ by W.H. Davies, I was just finding a second one to read when I was joined by two senior staff who asked me to leave.
Continued outside the bank
I left and set up outside to continue reading poems for another thirty minutes to the passing crowds. It was disappointing no one else was present, (as obviously this brings more attention to the event, but I’d like to thank those children and adults who did stop to show concern and support.
Once I’d got past the title of the first poem nerves and embarrassment disappeared. After all I was speaking for so many people that can’t get out to demonstrate or are too young to understand what this injustice is all about, but will suffer because of it.
Growing number of like-minded people
I felt safe in the knowledge that I was part of a growing number of like minded people around the country trying to do something about this, rather than just mumbling in the dark.
You start to get into a rhythm after the first poem, I’d urge anyone to have a go – its fun, much better than ‘open mike’ sessions where you only get one little slot! (if you’re lucky)
We must all continue to do our bit to get these draconian, self serving politicians and our own Conservative council to drop these cuts, and show compassion for people.
Let’s see an end to mega bonuses
They need to bring a stop to mega bonuses of bankers (who are already paid exorbitant salaries that have just gone up by 13%) and tax the banks profits to reflect a truly ‘big society’.
Perhaps then we might be able to offer our much neglected young people properly paid employment, and hope for ours and their future.
Consider who you bank with
Some people came up to me on Saturday and said that protests won’t change anything, they then proceeded into the bank to do business as usual.
I would urge these people to think about who they bank with, as there are alternatives to banks that choose to continue their greedy, tax avoiding, trade in misery around the world.
Co-op for instance, is an alternative, it’s an ethical bank, as I’m sure others are.
