The Green Party today joined forces with Russell Brand, journalist Owen Jones and thousands of campaigners to demand an alternative to the government’s damaging and needless austerity measures.
The demonstration was organised by the campaign group the People’s Assembly and saw thousands of campaigners march from Oxford Street to Westminster.
London Young Greens were out in force at today’s protest (image from @LondonYGs)
In her speech addressing the crowd, Green MP Caroline Lucas criticised the governments record of cuts whilst continuing to fund Trident and failing to crack down on big business tax avoidance. She added: “the Peoples’ Assembly shows that there are alternatives to the cruel and counterproductive austerity agenda, and that the people are prepared to fight for them.”
Romayne Phoenix, the Green Party’s Welfare Spokesperson, member of Lewisham Green Party and Co-Chair of the People’s Assembly who was also at the event, commented:
“It’s galling to see how the government continues to march ahead with its austerity measures, flagrantly dismissing the destructive affects they are having on our society. Inequality is on the rise. The number of food-bank meals needed to feed hungry families across the UK has doubled in the past year. Britain needs an alternative – sheer human decency demands it.”
Dave Plummer, London Green Party activist, added:
“It is fantastic to see the incredible range of people and campaign organisations that have turned out today to support the March Against Austerity. Whilst on the one hand it shows just how badly affected so many people have been by the cuts it also demonstrates that there is now so much agreement and collaboration in the fight for change. The Green Party is immensely proud to be one of those organisations calling for an end to austerity and for investment in an economy that puts people first”.
The People’s Assembly is a coalition of campaigns, unions, writers, politicians and performers united in the goal of bringing an end to the government’s austerity programme. It was founded in February 2013 and is supported by a range of prominent political activists including Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite, the writer Owen Jones, and the comedian Francesca Martinez. The late Labour politician Tony Benn and General Secretary of the RMT Bob Crow were also amongst its founding members.