Do You Hear The People Sing

Yesterday was the Put People First march and rally in London

5.00 am struggle out of my bit. Last nights flirting with Anton but a hazy blur. 
6.15 am . Finally decide on my rioting gear. Off one shoulder top, black jeans. Trainers (men's through necessity over choice) black hoodie, denim jacket. Weather forecast is dreadful. Packed vitals for day. Camera, blackberry, other mobile, emergency makeup, brolly,
6.40 am pick up Vicky. Join in some shouting at a naughty Spartacus.
6.55 join our ragbag 16 fellow Stokie marchers. We hoped for more but most of the Socialists failed to get out of bed in time
7.10 hit the road Jack. Actually the driver is called Kenneth but it didn't scan
8.45 Watford gap services . My second favourite gap (after the Cheddar) indulged in some non ethical corporate coffee. Least it wasn't Starbucks.
9.15 Cashpoint after spending all the days budget on a latte.
10.30 Dropped off at Horseguards. No horses disappointingly.
10.45 Charged 50p to use loo (I blame the bankers) lady attendant told me enquiringly it was the Ladies, I said with much annoyance, 'where else would I want' (I blame the bankers)
11.15 Raiding the unison stall for freebies for our branch. Bagged 5 caps 4 tabards, 2 flags and a dozen 'blow up thunder sticks' whatever they are
11.30 Assembled behind our UNISON Region banner mid way in the March queue. Indulged in some  banter with Regional staff (or the those from the dark side). I Got up everyone’s nose by taking pics (I blame the bankers).

12.15 WE MARCH, 12.16 WE STOP, 12.20 WE MARCH 12.21 WE STOP…continue for 3 1/2 miles or until your knees give out..

We marched and we stopped and we marched our way around central London. Down the Embankment and hung a right by Parliament we went. I’ve been on a few of these marches and this was by far the biggest, most vibrant, colourful, widely ranging, angry but peaceful protests I’ve been involved with. We rubbed shoulders, banged knees and clattered banners with:

Belgian Construction workers, French Fire Fighters, German Public Servants

TUC, RMT, NUT, an Alphabet Soup of Unions

Friends of The Earth Workers, Greenpeace Activists, Environmental Lobbyists

Anti War protesters, Pro Peace Campaigners, Charity Lobbyists

Communists, Socialists, Socialist Workers, Socialist Idlers,

One man band hectorers, 10 man band musicians,

Party Politicos, Party Animals, Anarchists, Organisers, Agitators, Preachers, Shouters, Singers and in the vast main just workaday people.

We merry band, we happy many, we angry mob. We sung chanted and chatted as the sun burst out. That day the sun shone on the self righteous. As we passed various bêtes noir such as Downing Street, The banks and The Ritz the crowd would break into chant many linking bankers and bonfires. Although there was much collective anger there was never any hint that it would turn to trouble as some of the press had suggested. The friendly police marking the route enjoyed our banter as much as they must have enjoyed the overtime. As we took in the famous landmarks, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St James we made solid friends for the day, sharing stories of previous campaigns and remarking on the good weather. I became increasingly glad I was only carrying a flag and not one of the large banners which transformed into back breaking wind breaks.

We made the rally in Hyde Park at 4pm much later than expected and the speakers had already started. Compared by Tony “Time Team/Baldrick” Robinson there were passionate speakers from around the campaigning world. Best and most shouty of all was Mark Thomas comedian and activist. Check out his stand up on iTunes, especially “Dambusters”. Funny passionate  and moving, a rare combination.

By this time the weather gods had turned. The sunshine of the march turned to darkened skies and freezing sleet. I cannot recall being so cold in a long long time. Cold as we shivered, knees aching and hips sore, we were not going to leave early. There is no point to a protest if it is easy. Eventually it was time to find our coach for our journey back to northern civilisation.

As everyone else snoozed in on the cosy night darkened bus, I indulged in a little reflection. The blurry lights of the motorway traffic merged into remembered visions of rainbow flags. I felt bolstered to have been part of such a huge movement. We may not have changed the world on that Saturday. The poor were still poor, the oppressed still oppressed and the planet still creaked.

Who knows if we 40,000 made a difference ? One thing I do know, doing nothing would not.

View Full Album