In a BBC interview, Labour leader Ed Miliband said that he ‘applauds young people who peacefully demonstrate’. Tribune asked campaigners: ‘What was the last demonstration you joined and which issue would be most likely to drive you onto the streets again?’
My last demo was the “Troops Out” one on November 20. I managed, just, to get up to Nelson’s plinth and told the assembled multitude that British war polices were not only immoral, but also stupid. This went down so well that I repeated “stupid” five times to ever-louder applause. What would bring me out again at once? To cheer if Labour ever got around to announcing an end to all tax havens and the introduction of a maximum wage. To boo if anyone threatened my winter heating allowance.
Bruce Kent – vice-president, CND
The Prison Reform Trust is determined and passionate about effecting social change and so am I. My first marching as a student in Paris in May 1968 was exhilarating and scary. By contrast, my most recent protest was a Quaker peace vigil against the war in Iraq. There are many ways of winning struggles. If we thought taking to the streets to win the vote for prisoners would work, then we would. Instead we are making sure that the United Kingdom stops breaking the law and complies with the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights. If we thought marching would divert people who are mentally ill, and those with learning disabilities, away from a punitive justice system into the treatment they need then we would. Instead we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Women’s Institute on its “Care not Custody” campaign and to make sure that the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health deliver long-promised change.
Juliet Lyon – director, Prison Reform Trust
The icy cold weather isn’t a good thing for protest organisers but in the last six weeks I have been to six packed public protests. Indeed, life for many in David Cameron’s favourite borough is one long rally to restore sanity. In Hammersmith and Fulham, it is now the norm for residents and politicians to campaign side by side, as funds are removed from vital homeless work, community centres are shut and property speculators are invited to buy up a chunk of a popular park. The Tories’ proposed demolition of both Hammersmith’s cinema and affordable homes for the blind has brought protesters together from all backgrounds. Civic society has rediscovered its voice and our Conservative administration is all the more nervous because of it. Stephen Cowan – Labour group leader, Hammersmith and Fulham council
The last time I took part in a demonstration was in Newquay, in my constituency. I marched through the streets with local people to demand that the council, service providers and police take seriously the issues of anti-social behaviour, crime and sexual assault in the town. All this stemmed from the excesses of the night time economy. That’s one of the biggest priorities for me as the MP – standing side by side with my constituents. Thankfully, that demonstration has seen some real successes. But there is still work to be done on this issue and many others that affect those living in mid-Cornwall. I will always support my constituents and help to tackle the problems they face. Demonstrations are a great way to raise those issues, raise awareness and force the council, the Government, or other stakeholders to take note, listen and take action.”
Stephen Gilbert – Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell and Newquay
I last took to the streets earlier this year to campaign for fair votes, and in 2008 for End Child Poverty’s “Keep the Promise” rally. I believe peaceful protest is very important and has played a crucial role in major progressive changes in our history. I expect to be out on the streets in 2011 protesting against the
£18 billion of welfare cuts for low-income households. The low-tax elite continues to get special treatment, while the most vulnerable are forced to carry the burden of a crisis caused by the greed of others. It is going to damage lives and it is going to damage the economy. It is not just an attack on family security, but a massive package of fiscal hindrance targeted in the worst possible area – households with high marginal consumption rates that spend their income immediately in local businesses.
Tim Nichols – campaign co-ordinator, End Child Poverty
A public display of opinion on a political or moral issue should either raise awareness of an issue or be part of a strategy of change, otherwise it’s simply an expression of powerlessness. Recently, most of the public action I have taken has been with London Citizens in protest against low pay and in support of the London living wage. These have been inventive, specific and direct, as public action has to provoke a reaction from those who hold corporate or political power. Protests should also be used for political education. It is uplifting to see a younger generation take to the streets, but besides enjoying the thrills and spills of the demo, we must ask: “How many of them are being politicised?’ How is the labour movement using its collective experience and wisdom to forward our struggle? I have taken part in demos that I didn’t feel would be particularly effective. This was to express solidarity and recognise the importance of camaraderie. However, it’s important to differentiate between the two types of protest because too much of the latter and not enough of the former leads to disillusionment and disengagement. Demos and marches will become a large feature of the political landscape as we are forced to defend our communities. Organised labour can help to develop follow-up strategies for people new to political action. We must take advantage of these opportunities to revitalise the movement for social justice.
Kevin Curran – living wage advisor, London Citizens
I last marched against the impending invasion of Iraq, along with more than a million others. I was on my feet from 10 in the morning until five in the afternoon. The big problem was where to go for a pee. The march moved slowly along Piccadilly past the offices of BAFTA. I had once been a member and so I sneaked in there. Others followed. We looked like marchers by this time – bedraggled but inspired – so no one stopped us. By the end of the day, I was totally exhausted. I went home and lay in a hot bath for an hour. It had felt important and hopeful. I had marched with mums with buggies, even one or two old people pushed in wheel chairs, contingents from Wales, a flock of Lib Dems. We were lively in spirit, but deadly serious in intent. And then politicos ignored us. It was a chastening experience. At 77 years old, I’ll probably take a rest from marching.
Joan Bakewell – broadcaster and writer
I usually do at least one protest every week. The most recent one was when I briefly joined the students occupying Sheffield University, in solidarity with their campaign against tuition fees and public spending cuts. A few days earlier, I was at a protest against the Pakistan army’s murder of Baluch nationalists and human rights campaigners. Here in Britain, every right and freedom that we cherish was won through popular protest – from press freedom to trade union rights and votes for women. Protest is the lifeblood of democracy. It’s a way of holding the rich and powerful to account. An effective protest raises awareness, provokes debate, wins hearts and minds, and forces the perpetrators of injustice to change their policies.
The most glorious and successful protest campaign of recent decades was against Margaret Thatcher’s poll tax. Politicians failed to block this hated policy, but “people power protests – both mass demonstrations and mass non-payment – forced the Iron Lady her to dump her flagship policy. Bravo!
Peter Tatchell – human rights campaigner
The last demonstration I participated in was the other week at the School of Oriental and African Studies. I was impressed, not just by the determination of the students sitting in to oppose tuition rises. What was new was the students’ dedicated practical support for the school kids who oppose cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance which enables them to continue into the sixth form. This new alliance signals more changes to come. The occupation also invited news about grassroots Haitians’ struggles against the United Nations occupiers and for the return of President Aristide, overthrown by the United States in 2004; and about Pakistanis forced to buy bottled water while the military takes 60 per cent of the national budget.
Resistance to injustice – from poverty and every other form of violence: censorship, discrimination, war or rape – when strugglers feel one with other strugglers in other places, has first claim on my time and energy. I’ll be on the Mothers March Against Poverty and Other Violence on March 12. And I’ll always think of Marx’s jolly observation: “Revolution comes like a thief in the night”. Yes, just when some might have given up hope. It’s going to be a lively 2011.
Selma James – co-ordinator, Global Women’s Strike
My last demonstration was outside the Lib Dem conference in Liverpool this year – protesting at their decision to join a Conservative Government and support swingeing cuts. The demo was organised by a fantastic new member of Liverpool West Derby Labour Party, Debbie Caine.
Right now, I’d certainly join a march to save the Education Maintenance Allowance. Only last week I was at Liverpool Community College and met young people who have been able to stay at college because of the EMA.
Stephen Twigg – Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby
Growing up, I was always at one demo or another screaming: “Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, Out! Out! Out!” But after a brief stint with the SWP at university, I lost my taste for placards and shouting at people walking into meetings to make decisions. I decided I wanted to be taking the decisions rather than shouting on the outside. However, the right to demonstrate remains the lifeblood of a democracy and I admire anyone who stands up to be counted. My last proper demo was in El Salvador as a 22-year-old. We were demonstrating against the military junta. Hundreds of soldiers lined up and took aim at us in front of San Salvador’s cathedral, where they shot dead Archbishop Oscar Romero. We thought we were going to die. I went directly to the airport after the ambassador warned we were about to be arrested and detained indefinitely. Many of the demonstrators had previously been tortured and gave me advice on how to cope. I’ve never been so scared. In Britain, we don’t risk our lives to demonstrate and I’m grateful. At the moment, I’m enraged about cuts to housing benefit, mobility allowances for disabled people and cuts that help kids in care. This Government is a disgrace. I guess we’d better dust off those placards and get back out there
Oona King – Labour peer
Over the years, I’ve taken to the streets and stood on platforms on countless occasions – to protest at government actions that I disagreed with or to support actions that I wanted the government to take. I’ve joined or organised protests against pay cuts, public service cuts, in favour of a national minimum wage, for abortion rights, equality, pension rights and many other causes. Now we are in a fight for our survival as the coalition Government’s cuts aim to rip the heart out of our public services. I have been out on the streets with my members in major cities including Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, London and Cardiff. And I will be on the march with thousands of Unison members alongside brothers and sisters in other unions and other organisations as part of the TUC anti-cuts demonstration in a few months’ time.
Dave Prentis – general secretary, Unison
2010 has been a great year for demonstrations of different sorts. I have been thoroughly delighted to see all the energy, passion and political awakening represented in the student protests of recent weeks and joined the NUS/UCU demo on the day of the parliamentary vote. But looking ahead to 2011, my hope is that our March 26 demonstration against the cuts will be a truly momentous political event, not just because of the massive numbers of ordinary people supporting it but because it leads to real political change as the coalition begin to see the error of its ways.
Brendan Barber – general secretary, TUC
Protest and survive, what else is there? The kids are alright. During the student demonstration on November 10, I was kettled with those demanding career options. We were stuck on the streets of Millbank until 10pm.
Students today are leading the way. Tuition fees is just the start. Royal Mail privatisation and the destruction of our welfare state are in the wings. We will be on the streets in Ed Davey’s and David Cameron’s constituencies next year. Of course, our members are on the streets six days a week, fixing your phone lines
and delivering your mail. You have to shout to the top.
Billy Hayes – general secretary, Communication Workers Union
The last demonstration I went on was against the war in Iraq in 2003. I would happily march next year against the coalition Government’s plans for housing benefit cuts. St Mungo’s aims to support homeless and vulnerable people with housing, health and skills and work opportunities. The proposed 10 per cent housing benefit cut for those on the Jobseeker’s Allowance for more than 12 months will undoubtedly impact on those most needing a hand up but perhaps furthest from the job market. Around 80 per cent of our clients say it’s their goal to get back to work, but two-thirds haven’t worked in five years. Many need specialist support to bring their skills up to date, not least with literacy and numeracy. The benefits system is over-complicated and needs reforming, but housing benefit should remain a safety net, not dependent on someone’s ability to work. That’s worth marching for.
Mike McCall – executive director of Operation, St Mungo’s
I support the student protests and, if I was a student today, I would be there. Among, the most significant demonstrations I have participated in was the London march against the war in Iraq. I opposed the invasion of Iraq, as an illegal, immoral and unwinnable war in contravention of the United Nations Charter. Throughout my life, I have defended civil liberties, human rights, freedom of expression, the rule of law and due process. As a student, I participated in the demonstrations against the Somoza regime in Nicaragua.
Since September 11, governments have swapped freedom, civil liberties and human rights for safety and security. But this reordering of priorities has not made our world any safer. The “war on terror” has given politicians throughout the world the excuse they needed to seriously undermine civil liberties. Human rights, which got in the way of policing and regulating populations, have been steadily eroded ever since. Countries throughout the world have broken faith with their own standards, employing torture, extraordinary rendition and indefinite detention without trial, secret prisons, and intensified surveillance mechanisms while denying due process. Recent investigations have revealed British complicity in the rendition and torture of prisoners in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Pakistan and Morocco to name a few. I would not hesitate to march for these principles again.
Bianca Jagger – chair and founder, the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation @biancajagger
The question really is the wrong way round. It should be: “what could this God-awful government do to make you feel such little hatred you’d be willing to stay at home?” The last demo I went on was the “Al quds day” protest in Tehran in September. Around a million Iranians marched in hellish heat against Israel’s continued illegal occupation of Jerusalem and Palestine. It was incredible to behold the strong, non-violent determination of all those people to endure such discomfort on a day of fasting. It puts our British “It’s a bit chilly – don’t think I’ll go” excuses for not supporting the students en masse into perspective.
Before that, I joined tens of thousands of shoe-hurlers outside the Israeli embassy in London during the protests against the murderous attack against the freedom flotilla in May. There are so many genuinely excellent reasons to be angry these days that I can’t seem to stay on the sofa for too long.
Lauren Booth – journalist
My last demo was on Saturday December 4. I joined a group of people outside Top Shop demonstrating against Philip Green’s failure to pay the tax he owes the Exchequer. It provided a tuneful and enjoyable interlude between the Latin American Conference and Christmas shopping. I shall take to the streets on March 26, along with many thousands of others on the demo called by the TUC. In the meantime, I shall be happy to march, sing or just hold a placard about the appalling tax avoidance and evasion by millionaires. If they paid up, the deficit would be much less of a problem.
Christine Blower – general secretary, National Union of Teachers
Aside from the TUC cuts demo, the last march I went on was the Million Women Rise march in central London. It was an amazing experience, which left you with a strong feeling of solidarity with those fighting violence against women all over the world. The sense of togetherness, and gritted fight for fairness with women from all backgrounds (often with their children) left a legacy that I still carry with me.
The great thing about marches is how much you learn from the people you walk the streets with. Issues take on a bigger meaning than the smaller personal sphere in which you experience them. As we approach Christmas and 2011, I hope we will find a renewed spirit of community that will align us with fights for justice in Parliament or on the streets – particularly for those like the poor, women and children who will otherwise suffer in silence.
Seema Malhotra – Fabian Women’s Network
