Five things we learned from London’s anti-austerity march

National Demonstration Against Austerity — From Athens to Andalucia, growing numbers of Europeans are taking a stand against austerity. Here’s what we learned from the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets on Saturday to protest the new UK government’s policy of cuts and privatisations.

“It’s a very basic thing that we’re protesting. We need to start thinking about people, not companies. It’s a basic gesture against neoliberalism, in its simplest form,” said Christian, 23, a student at the demonstration on Saturday 20 June.

This sentiment was echoed among participants young and old. A distinct feeling of unfairness reigned – It’s unfair that people struggle to feed themselves while companies continue to avoid tax (Dan, 32), unfair that the Tories have one rule for them and one rule for the rest of us (Susan, 63), unfair that money is pouring out of public services and into shareholders’ pockets (Carrie, 25).

While the government maintains that austerity is necessary to cut the country’s deficit and George Osborne plans another £25 billion of cuts – including a £12 billion cutback on social security – the people have taken a stand and made their voice heard.

Tens of thousands marched from the Bank of England to Parliament Square to protest the proposed cuts and other controversial policies, such as TTIP, health service privatisation and the cut price sell-off of bailed out banks. Here are some of the things that came out of Saturday’s demonstration, and the action that lies ahead.

The people engaged en masse

The People’s Assembly, which organised the demonstration, estimated that up to 250,000 people from all over the country attended the march in what was anticipated to be the biggest anti-austerity protest of the year. Though according to the BBC, “the Met Police have not estimated how many people were there,” this wildly eclipses the original expectation of around 70,000 participants. Among the attendees were many familiar faces, including Russell Brand, Owen Jones, Charlotte Church, Green MP Caroline Lucas and aspiring Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Austerity affects all sections of society

A remarkable element of the demonstration was the diversity of the participants and of the issues represented. Ranging across age, gender, nationality and background, the demonstrators that turned up were many and varied.

Although austerity was the main focus of the demo, a huge number of groups attended the protest, campaigning for different issues – a testament to the reach of austerity measures into all sectors of society. Issues raised included fracking, immigration policies, student fees, welfare cuts, homelessness, the NHS and trident.

Democracy is not a one day event

Despite the taunts and sneers flung at protesters and political activists, it’s ludicrous to suggest that because the Conservatives were “voted in” (by just a quarter of eligible voters, but let’s not digress), the next five years are to be spent in meek silence. Democracy isn’t a one-day event where people turn up to vote and let the experts decide from then on. A fundamental aspect of democracy is that politicians are held to account and challenged, and the people have a right to voice their concerns – a right they exercised in great numbers on Saturday.

Peaceful protest is the word of the day

The extensive presence of the Metropolitan Police suggested a revolt was about to break out, but the event was all but entirely peaceful. A handful of bonfires were made with placards and some smoke bombs were set off, but there have been no reports yet of any serious violence. This bodes well for the legitimacy of the movement.  Meanwhile, there were reports of a Metropolitan Police crackdown on activists previously linked to direct action protests ahead of the demonstration.

Concrete action must follow

Although the demonstration was in many ways a success it’s not the end of the road. Many of those who spoke at the rally in Parliament Square emphasised the need to push forward the momentum that has been reached rather than let it stagnate and disperse. Concrete action needs to be taken, opposition needs to be organised and the political effort directed if any real change is to be achieved. It’s to be seen if the People’s Assembly can organise the factions as well in the future as it did in this demo.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


You might like

Two men standing in courtyard surrounded by concrete residential buildings with white arched balconies and tall tower block behind.
Music

We took techno legend Chris Liberator to a virtual rave, here’s what went down

Stay acid forever — With VR experience In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats currently running at London's Barbican Centre, Simon Doherty brought the acid punk figurehead along to see what he thought, and reflect on the health of the rave scene today.

Written by: Simon Doherty

Elderly man with white hair and beard wearing glasses, dark jacket and light shirt, sitting at wooden table against white curtains.
Activism

Jeremy Corbyn confirms new party with Zarah Sultana: “Change is coming”

A real alternative? — Sultana revealed that she was quitting the Labour Party yesterday evening, saying that she was going to co-lead a new party with the former Labour leader.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Group of people holding white banner reading "Hermaphrodites with Attitude" in red and black text on building steps.
Activism

There have never been only two sexes — intersex people exist

Hemaphrodite Logic — Juliana Gleeson’s new book explores the intersex movement from 1990-2025. In this exclusive extract, the author outlines intersex liberation as an “unlikely offspring” of feminist and gay/lesbian struggles.

Written by: Juliana Gleeson

Portrait of a bald man with glasses and a beard, set against a blurred background.
Activism

Misan Harriman: “The humanity I bear witness to is extraordinary”

Shoot the People — Following the premiere of a new film exploring the photographer’s work and driving forces, we caught up with him to chat about his rapid rise, shooting protests and the need for powerful documentarians in times of struggle.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Large crowd of protesters marching with placards and banners, in front of a classical building with columns.
Activism

Transphobia is the main reason why people ‘detransition’, according to new survey

Transphobia’s toll — The largest ever survey of its kind found that just 9% of respondents had "gone back to living as their sex assigned at birth at least for a little while at some point in their lives”, with the biggest reason being discrimination, harassment and being shunned by friends and families.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Music

Jack Johnson

Letting It All Out — Jack Johnson’s latest record, Sleep Through The Static, is more powerful and thought provoking than his entire back catalogue put together. At its core, two themes stand out: war and the environment. HUCK pays a visit to Jack’s solar-powered Casa Verde, in Los Angeles, to speak about his new album, climate change, politics, family and the beauty of doing things your own way.

Written by: Tim Donnelly

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...