First potentially 'big' protest in Manchester against austerity

First potentially 'big' protest in Manchester against austerity next Saturday, which everyone in Greater Manchester who says they're against it, should try to get to, and bring their families, friends and work colleagues along with them as well, if they can. We need to show the Government we're not going to stand idly by as they try and force more cuts, privatisation and poverty on the 76% of the adult population who didn't vote for them.

Please share and invite everyone you know to attend and let's all make it a big show of our collective solidarity and latent political strength.

Here's a Press Release from the Protest organisers, which already has over 4,000 people down as going on Facebook. (Let's hope everyone and more turns up!)

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The planned protest for the 23rd of May in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester has been organised in response to the callous cuts which have taken place over the past five years of government, and are planned to continue over the next five years. These austerity measures are not unique to one party, and it seems that there is no way out for society’s most vulnerable. That is why we have decided to take action.

The action is a collaboration between organisers Mike Atkinson and Liam Callacher, we are just two local citizens, now with official backing from The People’s Assembly. We intend this to be an entirely peaceful affair. We believe this is a necessity for our main goal: engagement, communication, and collaboration. We want to discuss with the people of Manchester who might never consider even approaching a protest like this how austerity measures affects us all, those they love, their communities and the communities close to them. We want to share how these cuts are completely unnecessary (and downright cruel), and to engage with communities and bring them together in order to form ways to combat austerity. We do not just want to stand on a podium and talk. We want to listen. We want to learn.

No longer can we get on our hands and knees and beg the establishment for pittance. We as communities, we as people, must act together to combat these measures, measures which may not directly affect us but will affect people around us: vulnerable people with no chance of fighting back on their own. We want to provide a way that people and communities can work together to mobilise and help one another.

One immediate measure we are taking on the day is to make provisions for Manchester's growing homeless population. We will be providing food and drink, but also health products including sanitary products, toothbrushes, soap etc.

We want the protest in Piccadilly Gardens to be an event people feel they can safely approach. We will have a diverse array of speakers, live music and fun. We invite everyone to join us to take a stand, to engage in discussion, to bring provisions for the homeless and the needy, and to have a good time in the face of imposed misery.

acknowledgements to stephen hall