The June 21st national demonstration called by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity (PAAA) was a major success. Bringing together 50,000 activists, campaigners and trade unionists in a broad coalition, under the theme of No More Austerity, represents a show of strength for a campaign only established a year ago.
Speakers on the day included Len McCluskey, Diane Abbott MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Owen Jones, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Kate Hudson, Francesca Martinez and many others, showing the breadth of the movement against austerity. An excellent collection of photos and tweets, put together by Counterfire, which provides a pictorial record of the demonstration’s success, can be seen here.
The involvement of the unions is crucial to the campaign and the ongoing teachers’ disputes encouraged a big contingent from the NUT on the demo. On July 7 there is a benefit gig to raise funds for the PAAA with a great line-up of stand-up comedians. Details here.
The next major event for the entire movement will be the series of strikes and other industrial activity planned for July 10. There is a fightback under way and the PAAA is supporting it and helping to lead it.