Thousands of activists have today marched through central London in an anti-austerity demonstration against Government cuts.
Slogans such as “Cameron Must Go – Tories Out!” and demands for decent health, homes, jobs and education were brandished in the protest organised by the People’s Assembly.
The 50,000 strong march began near to the University of Central London and weaved its way through the streets for a rally in Trafalgar Square.
Police said five arrests were made during the protests.
Kicking off the demo, the National Health Singers sang a song, which included lines of “don’t let our junior docs be worked around the clock”, and “help us keep you safe, don’t take our rights away”
Labour shadow secretary for international development, Diane Abbott, addressed the crowds before they set off, describing the protest as “probably the biggest demonstration ever”.
The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP said: “Fighting austerity is the political struggle of our time.
“It is austerity that is the real threat to the NHS. It is austerity which is stopping local authorities building homes.
“It is austerity that is forcing people out of work and into zero hours contracts. It is austerity that threatens the future of our young people.
“There could not be a more important demonstration or a more important movement than this one.”
Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, NUT general secretary Christine Blower and Green Party leader Natalie Bennett also joined the demonstration.
Michaella Hagger, 27, who travelled to the demonstration from Winchester, said: “I’m here because I hate David Cameron. It’s all about the cuts, tax dodging, and the NHS for me.”
Gary Manning, 42, from Carmarthenshire, donned a pig mask for the march, saying he wore it because it represents the elitism of people like George Osborne and David Cameron.
His 13-year-old daughter Catrin, who chose to accompany to him to the march, said: “I’m here because the Tories are raising tax and I don’t think it is fair when all the British people have to pay and the rich don’t.”
More than 100 coaches filled with demonstrators arrived in the capital from around the UK – with thousands of others attending through their associated unions or group
