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London anti-austerity march draws tens of thousands Anti-austerity protest: tens of thousands attend march London
(about 2 hours later)
An anti-austerity march in London has attracted tens of thousands of people wielding banners with slogans, expletive-filled placards and pig effigies.An anti-austerity march in London has attracted tens of thousands of people wielding banners with slogans, expletive-filled placards and pig effigies.
Protesters descended on central London in hundreds of coaches on Saturday to voice their outrage at the cuts imposed on public services by David Cameron and his government.Protesters descended on central London in hundreds of coaches on Saturday to voice their outrage at the cuts imposed on public services by David Cameron and his government.
Related: Anti-austerity protesters: 'why we want David Cameron to resign'Related: Anti-austerity protesters: 'why we want David Cameron to resign'
“No ifs, not buts, no public sector cuts” and “Dodgy Dave get out, we know what you’re all about” were among the chants demonstrators bellowed as they marched from the University of Central London to Trafalgar Square. “No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts, and “Dodgy Dave get out, we know what you’re all about” were among the chants demonstrators bellowed as they marched from the University of Central London to rally in Trafalgar Square.
Beneath Nelson’s Column, the swelling crowd, estimated by some as being up to 50,000-strong, carried banners reading: “Get the Tory Twats Out” and “Cut War Not Welfare”. The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, told the crowd a Labour government would end austerity.
Others made references to pigs, including some who wore masks, in an allusion to sordid and disputed claims that as a student the prime minister once placed his penis in a dead pig’s mouth. “We will halt the privatisation of our NHS and make it public once again,” he said.
“And for all those people desperately waiting for a home, I can give this promise. We will build the hundreds of thousands of council homes that will end homelessness.”
The Hayes and Harlington MP also said his party would scrap the work capability assessments affecting the disabled.
“The Panama revelations demonstrate that they have been robbing us for generations now,” he added. “We will make the rich and corporations pay their way in society.”
Unite’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, pulled out a Panama hat during his speech, in a reference to the recent tax scandal, and said: “The only thing I have from Panama, Mr Cameron, is a hat.”
He added: “The establishment shames our democracy. It is up to all of us to work together and send a clear message – that we will fight, fight, fight for a better tomorrow.”
The Green party leader, Natalie Bennett, told the crowd: “We want all of the Tories out, not just David Cameron. We have a vision of a different kind of society. A society that works for the common good.”In a video message played to the demonstrators, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “The austerity we are in is a political choice, not an economic necessity.”
Thousands have taken to the streets in London today for the @pplsassembly March for Health, Homes, Jobs & Education​https://t.co/byfR1oYXPC
Corbyn said he could not attend the rally as he was campaigning in Liverpool for local elections on 5 May.
Beneath Nelson’s Column, the swelling crowd, estimated by some at 50,000-strong, carried banners with messages including: “Get the Tory Twats Out” and “Cut War Not Welfare.”
Others made references to pigs, and some protesters wore pig masks, in an allusion to disputed claims that as a student the prime minister once placed his penis in a dead pig’s mouth.
"No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts" pic.twitter.com/wauvXq5cNe"No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts" pic.twitter.com/wauvXq5cNe
Gary Manning, from Carmarthenshire, wore a pig mask during the march. He said: “I think the whole tax system is so unfair - it’s so disproportionate.” Gary Manning, from Carmarthenshire, wore a pig mask during the march. He said: “I think the whole tax system is so unfair. It’s so disproportionate.”
Kicking off the rally, the National Health Singers sang a song they had written, which included lines of “don’t let our junior docs be worked around the clock”, and “help us keep you safe, don’t take our rights away”. Kicking off the rally, the National Health Singers sang a song they had written, the lyric of which which included the lines: “Don’t let our junior docs be worked around the clock” and: “Help us keep you safe, don’t take our rights away.”
Michaella Hagger travelled to the demonstration from Winchester. The 27-year-old, who works in the probation service, said: “I’m here because I hate David Cameron. It’s all about the cuts, tax-dodging, and the NHS for me. They are ruining people’s jobs and making it impossible for everyone.” Michaella Hagger travelled to the demonstration from Winchester, Hampshire. The 27-year-old, who works in the probation service, said: “I’m here because I hate David Cameron. It’s all about the cuts, tax-dodging, and the NHS for me. They are ruining people’s jobs and making it impossible for everyone.”
Gary Manning from Wales says this pig mask represents the elitism of people like Osborne and Cameron pic.twitter.com/WVc4ScxQ2pGary Manning from Wales says this pig mask represents the elitism of people like Osborne and Cameron pic.twitter.com/WVc4ScxQ2p
Before the crowds set off, the shadow secretary for international development, Diane Abbott, spoke to the gathering.
The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said: “Fighting austerity is the political struggle of our time. It is austerity that is the real threat to the NHS. It is austerity which is stopping local authorities building homes. It is austerity that is forcing people out of work and into zero hours contracts.”
Chris Nineham of Stop the War Coalition said: “Austerity is not about economic necessity, it is a political choice.”
The crowd are now arriving in Trafalgar Square where @johnmcdonnellMP will be speaking pic.twitter.com/ppUDfIMs0q
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, Unite’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, the NUT general secretary, Christine Blower, and the Green party leader, Natalie Bennett, also joined the demonstration.