End Austerity Now Demo - London

I must admit, was on the fence whether to attend this or not,... had a niggling feeling that there would be trouble, especially as the marchers were to convene outside the Bank of England. I was convinced that a handful of Guy Fawkes masked trouble makers might try and vandalize some property and get the whole march quarantined for hours in the rain. Indeed, splinted left group Class War had promised to do just that.

However, a stern rebuke from Avis earlier in the week assured me that we simply had to go, we should not be frightened of the police, that we must let the Government know we think their austerity policy is hooey.

I agreed on the proviso that we could march with the Green Party. I figured staying close to the matriarchal leadership of Natalie Bennett may just assure our safety.
And I was right.
Surrounded by hordes of lefty peaceful Green Party Beatniks was exactly what I wanted. 
And surrounded we certainly were. Estimates are around 70,000 - 100,000 people, by far the biggest march the city has seen since the anti-Iraq War demo in 2003 (why didnt you listen Tony!).

The rain held off, the mood was buoyant, and we were ready for some serious marching - 

After a wait of nearly two hours, the march finally began and we snaked our way through the cordoned off streets, keeping warm with some occasional ranting, and keeping interested by seeing who could spot the funnist placard (favourites were 'Who needs sex when you get fucked by the government everyday?' and 'I like big cuts and I cannot lie').

The march concluded (as all political marches in London do) at Westminster Square, where we sat down for some protest salad I'd brought along and to listen to the political speakers, though it was hard to make out what was being said over the Jungle soundsystem speakers behind us. 

It was delightful to hear such a jubilant all round cheer when Caroline Lucas took to the stage, and I realised how much she is a real living icon of the left, and how lucky I am to have her as my MP.

Other highlights were Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn, Charlotte Church, and Russell Brand tellung us how different his lot in life would have been without the support of a free NHS for his mother growing up. 

Bit gutted I didnt see Owen Jones though, sounds like he smashed it:

The key now is to keep up the pressure, and let George Osbourne and Iain Duncan Smith know that if they continue to ignore the will of the people it will be at their peril. After all, only 27% of the UK wanted them there in the first place... 

I think the job of the marchers now should be to try and convince their friends and colleagues at home, the people who didnt see enough reason to come to the protest, that their voices are needed and that the more that attend, the stronger the movement becomes. Imagine if just everyone who demonstrated on Saturday brought just one friend or relative with them next time, and then the same after that... People need to start caring about the preservation of a free public NHS now, not when they go to A&E in 10 years time and go "what the?" when footed with a £10k bill for an in-grown toe nail.

Our job is to try and increase participation for next time, and Im sure there will definately be a next time