ICTU Estimates 15,000 at Stop the Cuts Rally October 23, 2010
Posted by Garibaldy in Northern Ireland, Trade Unions.trackback
Big turnout at today’s rally against the Tory-Lib Dem vicious programme of cuts despite the torrential rain, with trade unions, political parties and community groups mobilising for it. The turnout was a reflection of the depth of anger felt by people in Northern Ireland at the cuts. The left parties were of course prominent on the march, with a variety of placards, flags and banners. At least some of those who will soon be implementing the cuts were present at the rally. Leading figures from PSF were there including (I was told) Junior Minister in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister Gerry Kelly and Bobbey Storey and I saw Margaret Ritchie and other MLAs from the SDLP. Dawn Purvis was also there. There may well have been MLAs from other parties. Given Sammy Wilson’s comment that the trade unions were wasting their time, I doubt that there were any DUP MLAs protesting. Red Sammy has certainly changed his tune from days of yore. As the ICTU’s Peter Bunting said,
Thousands of good people came on the streets, braving awful weather, to say a clear ‘No’ to the plans outlined by Cameron, Clegg and Osborne. Despite what Sammy Wilson thinks, these people are not wasting their time. Democracy is about choice, and when government makes the wrong choices, then the people have not only a right, but also a duty to peaceful and good-humoured protest.
Today is only the start. This issue is not accepted or acceptable. The trade unions are determined to build the alterative coalition required to defeat these cuts and provide a better and fairer future.
A big and vibrant rally, complete with bands etc. Personally, I could have done without the person screaming variants of the word cuts down the microphone for what seemed like five minutes, and there were perhaps too many speakers for the day that was in it. But a very successful rally, and hopefully a sign of a coherent opposition to the cuts being brought together to put pressure on the politicians, especially on local politicians. Joke of the day, it must be said, goes to the IRSP shouting start the cuts with the PSNI. All in all, an impressive start to what will most likely be a long and bitter campaign, that we can only hope will draw people in Northern Ireland’s attention to their class interests.
UPDATE: Rabelais has footage from the demo here
Fantastic turn out despite the inclement weather. I hope this is just the start. I’m sure I’m not the only member of the rank and file who is up for a fight.
And many thanks for the plug, Garibaldy.
No problem Rab. Thank you for the video.
it’s a pity they couldn’t put that much effort into organising something down south.
Different political situation.
In the North, because the cuts are being imposed from Westminster everybody can claim to be against them if they like. ICTU are not challenging the local parties.
In the South, were ICTU to stand up for trade union members they’d have to lead a struggle against FF/FG/Greens/Labour, the entire media and IBEC. Which they will do everything in their power to avoid doing.
It’s also worth noting that there’s quite a big anti-cuts group in the North which put more pressure on ICTU than its Southern equivalents have been able to manage. The Anti-Cuts Alliance involves the FBU and INTO along with the Socialist Party and the Workers Party (and some others).
The ICTU has certainly made noises about opposing the executive but we’ll see if anything materialises from it. At some point, these cuts will be being implemented, and the campaign will I suspect continue. Probably with continued attendance by the executive parties.
As a matter of interest does anybody know who Dawn Purvis marched with,any particular grouping or just as an individual.
Don’t know who she was marching with Hal, if anybody.
Thanks ,they had a congress recently and others resigned Im just wondering if they will form a new grouping.
I really don’t think there was 15,000 there myself, nowhere near. Weather was shocking though. Disappointing turnout from republicans, absolutely no sign of 32csm, RNU or RSF. Notable exceptions were eirigi of which there was about 15 and the IRSP who had a very large presence of 50+. Workers Party also there, and SF of course.
Speeches were abit too plentiful and that ‘cuts theatre’ was extremely annoying. This is just the start I hope, but overall I would be disappointed with the turnout, 15k is a hefty estimate.
This is a joke by ICTU to justify their large salaries. Nothing will come of it and the cuts will be implemented – but not to well paid trade union leaders