Sunday, March 27, 2011

London takes to the streets to protest government cuts Cameron

London. (EFE) .- Tens of thousands of people marched in London today against government cuts set by the Government of David Cameron, called the largest protest in the British capital since the start of 2003 against the war in Iraq. The trade union confederation British Trade Union Congress (TUC, an acronym in English) has organized this event, which began before noon, peacefully, in the area of Embankment on the River Thames and marched to Hyde Park, and in which have participated, according to the union, about 500,000 people.

A minority group withdrew from the rally and marched through the downtown streets Oxford Street, where they clashed with police officers, but no serious incidents. Some of the protesters scuffled with security forces outside the store Topshop, which was heavily guarded by officers in riot gear.

Several people threw paint against this facility and tried, unsuccessfully, to do the same with another store in Oxford Street. The owner of Topshop, Philip Green, has been strongly criticized by the UK group Uncut, which protests against tax evasion in the UK because his wife has set up residence in Monaco to avoid paying taxes.

Teachers, nurses, members of the National Health Service (NHS acronym in English), workers councils and other public sector employees have joined students and senior citizens in this great protest against government austerity measures. Participants came from various locations across the country, so the police have been on the streets of London to some 4,500 police officers to maintain order.

In Hyde Park, Miliband criticized the government and told the crowd that we must fight to preserve and protect public services. "We know what the government will say that this is the start of a minority. They are wrong. David Cameron (British Prime Minister): you wanted to create a great society, this is the great society," said Miliband, referring to the protest.

"The great society united against what your government is doing to our country. We are here today not as a minority, but as the voice of the majority in this country," he added. For its part, the general secretary of the Unite union, Len McCluskey, which represents workers in the airline industry, said the protesters are witnesses of the services that are closing, such as libraries, swimming pools and public parks.

The coalition government consisting of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats insist that these measures are necessary to address the huge deficit the United Kingdom. The TUC has insisted that it is a peaceful march, marked by an atmosphere "family." TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, said many of those opposed to today's demonstration would argue that those who took to the streets in London were a minority.

"The thousands who come to London from across the country are speaking to their communities when they ask for a plan B to save vital services, set to work to the unemployed and face the growing deficit and fair taxes," said Barber, referring to message that this place wants to convey to the Government.

Barber wanted to let those at Hyde Park there is an alternative to the "brutal" cuts in public spending, which threatens about 170,000 municipal jobs. The people marched with placards calling for "no cuts" as could be seen marching bands and people dancing while protesters walked from Embankment to Hyde Park.

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