260211 Up to 1500 hundred demonstrate in Birmingham Against the Cuts
Birmingham Against The Cuts Demonstration
“Clegg, Cameron, hear us say – MAKE THE GREEDY BANKERS PAY!” echoed through the centre of Birmingham’s streets today as up to 1500 hundred trade unionists, students and community groups marched against the proposed CON-DEM cuts.
Despite obstruction from the ConDem council the demonstration gathered at Birmingham Cathedral and marched through the main shopping streets. As the march reached a branch of Barclays protestors stopped and chanted ‘pay your taxes’. As they reached each of Philip Green’s shops the chant was repeated. BHS shut their doors.
At the same time as the march UKuncut protestors were targetting a number of shops for not paying tax.
The demonstration was attended by activists from all of the major trade unions in the city, including UNISON, GMB, CYWU, UNITE, NUT, UNITE, UCU, NASUWT, PCS, CWU as well as campaigns such as BARAC (Black Activist Rising Against Cuts), DPAC (Disabled People Against the Cuts), UK UNCUT, community choirs and residents associations.
Graeme Horn, joint Branch Secretary of Birmingham UNISON Branch said “This is a great turn out and will give heart to activists campaigning for a YES vote in the forthcoming strike ballot of workers in Birmingham City Council.”
On Tuesday the 1st March Birmingham City Council intend to set a budget making £212 million of cuts, the first of a £320 million cuts package. This will mean a wholesale attack on the most vulnerable in our city, the closure of many services and job cuts of over 7,000 council workers.
Campaigners talked of making it as difficult as possible for the council to pass the budget, which went down very well with the crowd. Birmingham Against the Cuts is calling for a blockade of the council meeting from 2pm.
This illustrates the strength of feeling for stepping up the action to defend jobs and services in the run up to the massive TUC demonstration in London on the 26th March. It is clear no matter what happens in the council chamber on Tuesday, the protest on Saturday showed the determination to resist every cut.
Last week 43 people met at a meeting called by Cotteridge Against the Cuts to resist the closure of the Neighbourhood Office and Cotteridge Church Day Centre. In Kings Heath 90 people met to discuss organising to save Kingsheath Library. In another meeting 50 people attended a BARAC meeting at the Afro-Caribbean Centre.
Birmingham Against The Cuts can be found at
260211 Up to 1500 hundred demonstrate in Birmingham Against the Cuts
Birmingham Against The Cuts Demonstration
“Clegg, Cameron, hear us say – MAKE THE GREEDY BANKERS PAY!” echoed through the centre of Birmingham’s streets today as up to 1500 hundred trade unionists, students and community groups marched against the proposed CON-DEM cuts.
Despite obstruction from the ConDem council the demonstration gathered at Birmingham Cathedral and marched through the main shopping streets. As the march reached a branch of Barclays protestors stopped and chanted ‘pay your taxes’. As they reached each of Philip Green’s shops the chant was repeated. BHS shut their doors.
At the same time as the march UKuncut protestors were targetting a number of shops for not paying tax.
The demonstration was attended by activists from all of the major trade unions in the city, including UNISON, GMB, CYWU, UNITE, NUT, UNITE, UCU, NASUWT, PCS, CWU as well as campaigns such as BARAC (Black Activist Rising Against Cuts), DPAC (Disabled People Against the Cuts), UK UNCUT, community choirs and residents associations.
Graeme Horn, joint Branch Secretary of Birmingham UNISON Branch said “This is a great turn out and will give heart to activists campaigning for a YES vote in the forthcoming strike ballot of workers in Birmingham City Council.”
On Tuesday the 1st March Birmingham City Council intend to set a budget making £212 million of cuts, the first of a £320 million cuts package. This will mean a wholesale attack on the most vulnerable in our city, the closure of many services and job cuts of over 7,000 council workers.
Campaigners talked of making it as difficult as possible for the council to pass the budget, which went down very well with the crowd. Birmingham Against the Cuts is calling for a blockade of the council meeting from 2pm.
This illustrates the strength of feeling for stepping up the action to defend jobs and services in the run up to the massive TUC demonstration in London on the 26th March. It is clear no matter what happens in the council chamber on Tuesday, the protest on Saturday showed the determination to resist every cut.
Last week 43 people met at a meeting called by Cotteridge Against the Cuts to resist the closure of the Neighbourhood Office and Cotteridge Church Day Centre. In Kings Heath 90 people met to discuss organising to save Kingsheath Library. In another meeting 50 people attended a BARAC meeting at the Afro-Caribbean Centre.
Birmingham Against The Cuts can be found at