n/a
Home / Nationwide protests on welfare and disability as budget looms

Nationwide protests on welfare and disability as budget looms

By staff writers
July 8, 2015

Disabled People Against the Cuts are helping to organise a 'die-in' at Downing Street, while the People's Assembly Against Austerity, trade unions and anti-cuts action groups are protesting at parliament.

There will be an anti-austerity rally in Edinburgh at 5.30pm this evening, as well as actions across England, Wales and Scotland. But the main focus is on Westminster.

Ramona McCartney, a spokesperson for the People’s Assembly, said: “We will all come together at this protest to say ‘end austerity now’. We are going to use the slogan ‘Oxi to Osborne’ – that will be the placard of choice.”

“We have had a lot of interest since the 'no' vote; our phones have been off the hook.”

Ms McCartney predicted that thousands of people would attend the rally outside parliament, inspired by the recent example of the Greek people in their referendum about austerity.

Protesters are demanding that the government publishes statistics showing how many people have died after having their benefits cut. The Work and Pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, initially denied such figures existed when challenged by Ekklesia co-director and politician Jonathan Bartley in an election debate.

Prime Minister David Cameron has since acknowledges their existence and promised to release the figures, but has chosen not to do so before imposing further cuts.

DPAC and the People's Assembly are being joined in their actions any Streets Kitchen, Black Dissidents, London Latinxs, Colombian Women in Action, Occupy, Brick Lane Debates, Winvisible, London Black Revs, Reclaim Hackney, Camden Resists, Never Again Ever and other campaigners.

* DPAC: http://dpac.uk.net

*People's Assembly: http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk

* Follow developments on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/1455266081436327/) and via the Twitter hashtag #Balls2TheBudget

* Live protest blog: http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/8th_of_july_national_day_of_protest...

* Full 2015 budget coverage and commentary from Ekklesia at: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/budget2015

[Ekk/3]

Although the views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Ekklesia, the article may reflect Ekklesia's values. If you use Ekklesia's news briefings please consider making a donation to sponsor Ekklesia's work here.