We are the 99%: Peoples Protest Against Austerity

It was planned as 'The Big One' and hoped to attract thousands of people to Trafalgar Square in London to protest against the cuts that are biting the arses off increasing numbers of people in the UK.

I reckon that there were between 800 and 1,000 people (not what you'd call big) and have a theory that many people could not afford to get to London, others may have care responsibilities or disabilities which prevented them from attending. Having said that, though, there were a LOT of very angry disabled people present and I met a couple of people who were struggling financially but whose friends had paid for them to travel.

It was a good location for the protest. Being one of the most famous London landmarks there were many people 'passing through' who - until today - were unaware of many issues that were affecting thousands of people.

It was also good to hear from people around the country about what actions they were taking locally to oppose the Bedroom Tax and ATOS.

Publicised as a 'static protest', after a little while protesters decided to march down Whitehall, past Downing Street - where our Prime Minister lives - and on to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The police presence at the demonstration in the Square was - shall we say - phenomenal. I would say that there were more police here today than at the event held on the first Saturday after the death of Margaret Thatcher, when there were about 3,000 people present. So, imagine, if you will about 800 protesters walking along Whitehall accompanied by about the same number of police. After a bit of a shout opposite the Houses of Parliament the march was accompanied back down to Trafalgar Square, stopping again for another bit of a shout opposite Downing Street.

This shot is of the front of the march leaving Westminster to be escorted back down Whitehall.

The march - and the protest - was loud, and I witnessed one or two scuffles. One involved a bit of a dispute about whether or not a pop-up tent was allowed in the Square. The 'Heritage Wardens' had to consult their bye-laws to check; then check again with the police. Our argument was that it wasn't actually a tent - it was a tent-shaped inflatable banner. I think the fact that it was a tent which had been used at the Occupy camp in London outside St Pauls Cathedral and was covered in messages of support for the Occupy movement was the real source of concern.

The base of Nelson's Column provided a brilliant platform for people to clamber onto and shout from, display banners and placards from and was pretty packed when I left toward the end of the afternoon. Apparently another march took place, this time going down Whitehall then off to the South Bank. Which I find a bit of a puzzle .....

Anyway, it happened, the mainstream media ignored it but there is a lot of activity going on in the regions. I think it will take a hell of a lot more than gatherings in Trafalgar Square to bring about the meaningful changes we need. And we need them pretty quick.

A full set of my shots from today can be seen on my Flickr photostream set and a couple of related articles are linked to below:

Black bloc
Anonymous

There are several independent news websites which may have reports, like indimedia. Have a rummage around if you feel so moved.