Protesting on the fourth of may
I have hardly got anything done from my long lists of things to do, because I'm a depressed pro-crastinator who lacks the energy and will to get stuff done. But also because life keeps on getting in the way.
But on Monday (which was a bank holiday in the UK), I went on my first protest march since I've come to London. It was a feminist march, organised by the group Sisters Uncut and it was protesting the cuts in welfare and the way they particularly hit women victims of domestic abuse and the help they get.
From the event post of the group:
WHAT:
Calling all sisters to join us on the May bank holiday weekend for a direct action to prevent cuts to vital domestic violence services.
WHY?
As the election draws closer, none of the main parties have acknowledged the need to safeguard essential public services, including domestic violence services. All of the major parties plan to continue the ideological austerity programme currently in force which is hitting women and women's services hardest.
Austerity is unfair, austerity is sexist, and austerity doesn't work. With 2 women a week currently murdered by a partner or ex-partner in the UK, now more than ever we need guaranteed funding for services which can help them to leave abusive relationships.
Unfortunately not nearly enough women showed up to make it a truly impressive protest. It was a bank holiday and getting Londoners motivated is not easy. But the organisers were a very passionate and energetic group of young women, who had planned a very good action.
We met up outside the City Hall offices with a flower wreath and banners, where a group of women read out their manifesto and ended it with a chilling list of over a hundred names of women who had been killed by their partners or families.
Afterwards we marched slowly through the streets until the London council offices in Southwark street where we blocked the whole street for a bit of a street party. It was exhilarating! I have missed protesting! It would have been so awesome if we had gathered the numbers the marches I did in Greece had! And if it was a working day and created a real disruption. That would have got us on the news! As it was an article was written in the New Statesman.
But on Monday (which was a bank holiday in the UK), I went on my first protest march since I've come to London. It was a feminist march, organised by the group Sisters Uncut and it was protesting the cuts in welfare and the way they particularly hit women victims of domestic abuse and the help they get.
From the event post of the group:
WHAT:
Calling all sisters to join us on the May bank holiday weekend for a direct action to prevent cuts to vital domestic violence services.
WHY?
As the election draws closer, none of the main parties have acknowledged the need to safeguard essential public services, including domestic violence services. All of the major parties plan to continue the ideological austerity programme currently in force which is hitting women and women's services hardest.
Austerity is unfair, austerity is sexist, and austerity doesn't work. With 2 women a week currently murdered by a partner or ex-partner in the UK, now more than ever we need guaranteed funding for services which can help them to leave abusive relationships.
Unfortunately not nearly enough women showed up to make it a truly impressive protest. It was a bank holiday and getting Londoners motivated is not easy. But the organisers were a very passionate and energetic group of young women, who had planned a very good action.
We met up outside the City Hall offices with a flower wreath and banners, where a group of women read out their manifesto and ended it with a chilling list of over a hundred names of women who had been killed by their partners or families.
Afterwards we marched slowly through the streets until the London council offices in Southwark street where we blocked the whole street for a bit of a street party. It was exhilarating! I have missed protesting! It would have been so awesome if we had gathered the numbers the marches I did in Greece had! And if it was a working day and created a real disruption. That would have got us on the news! As it was an article was written in the New Statesman.