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Original poster

TUC National Demonstration Against Cuts

867 replies

OrangeBernard · 11/03/2011 19:24

Who's going? I've just booked my train tickets. Its my first protest, any advice or tips? Bit worried about kettling.

OP posts:
thereiver · 12/03/2011 00:41

every one i have spoken to thinks at last the lazy idle useless public sector is chopped down. let them strike no one will notice.

Original poster
OrangeBernard · 12/03/2011 06:32

Thanks for that. At least 10000 people on Facebook seem to disagree with you.

OP posts:
rarebite · 12/03/2011 06:33

OrangeBernard - good for you. I hope you will find the demonstration is too big to kettle and that your fellow protestors will, if kettled, be good natured and supportive. Just make sure you take enough food, have your mobile on you to take photos and so you can ring a friend and if you don't go with an intention of causing troubling then you have every right to be there. Take care and wrap up warm if it is a cold day.

Madondogs · 16/03/2011 10:58

I am going ,along with my husband and 2 teenage children.went to loads of demos in the 80's.

In what way do you think the public sector is idle and useless?

Niceguy2 · 16/03/2011 11:09

I don't think the public sector is idle & useless.

I just think its too big and we cannot afford it.

For me the demo is like thinking if you get enough people on the streets demonstrating and chanting slogans that you can make the government realise that 1+1 doesn't equal 2

dotnet · 16/03/2011 11:43

If there are things you don't approve of, like the way the govt wants to mess about with the NHS, or school leavers having to take on a burden of debt to pay for further education in England - then you should protest, of course you should. I mean to go, as well.

RamblingRosa · 16/03/2011 11:47

I'll be there. I think it's going to be huge.

OP, in terms of tips, take a map if you don't know London well (handy to find your way to the nearest tube station if some stations are shut). Take water. Wear comfy clothes (trainers, jeans etc). Take a mac with a hood if it looks like rain.

Stick near to union banners or groups of people you know and keep away from people who look like trouble (usually easy to spot!).

Original poster
OrangeBernard · 16/03/2011 16:25

Thanks for this. I'm taking my 7 year old. Any tips on how keep us both safe? Is kettling a serious concern
?

OP posts:
GlynisIsFixed · 16/03/2011 16:35

I think kettling will be more of an issue on the streets than at the actual rally itself. But if like PP say you stick with some 'normal' Wink looking people you'll be fine.
Are you going with a local group or just taking the train down, OP?

Original poster
OrangeBernard · 16/03/2011 17:06

I'm going with my best friend and her family, part of the unison group

OP posts:
GlynisIsFixed · 16/03/2011 17:13

Have a great day, I wish I could go but have joined an online protest group instead

RamblingRosa · 17/03/2011 10:12

Ah, you'll be fine if you stick with your mates and the Unison group. There will be lots of families there. I imagine the Unison contingent will have a lot of women in it and will be well stewarded so I don't think you'll see any trouble at all.

Remember, you can always duck out if you see trouble. As I say, it's good to have an A-Z or a map if you're not familiar with the route so you can easily find your way out and to a tube station if you want to get away.

If your DC is getting tired you might want to stop off at a cafe and rejoin the group later.

You'll have a great day :)

ttosca · 19/03/2011 01:30

Hey Orange.

Yes, the advice on this thread is good.

Stick the the trade union marchers, and you'll be absolutely fine. You'll be with hundreds of thousands, possibly over a half million other marchers.

Police also tend to avoid kettling families and children, as it's horrible PR, and middle-class families can kick up quite a storm.

Make sure you are comfortable: wear comfy shoes, bring lots of food and water. Paracetamol. Bring a full-charged telephone. Even if you're not kettled (you won't be), these things will come in handy.

Good luck, and thanks for coming!

RamblingRosa · 19/03/2011 11:09

I agree with all the above - except maybe paracetemol. That one's never occurred to me!

I think there's some advice on here www.marchforthealternative.org.uk.

There's going to be a big women's contingent going too (all wearing suffragette colours - green and purple - and banging pots and pans). Your DC might enjoy joining in the pot banging :)

yelloutloud · 20/03/2011 13:48

Idle and useless. Are you self employed and paying tax properly? In my experience it's those sort of people who think teachers, health workers,housing workers, refuse collectors etc are lazy and USELESS!!! At least they pay tax. Maybe the SYSTEM could be better but I don't know what we would do without the public sector. I for one am glad that demonstrations are back, about time.

Mellowfruitfulness · 20/03/2011 16:48

Good for all of you who are going. But it's vital that your important message doesn't get lost, so I hope the demo doesn't turn into a riot. There could be people there who have a different agenda.

So my advice would be the same as above, plus work out a way beforehand of leaving the march if things do get nasty, ie make sure you research the route properly.

Thanks to everyone for going! Smile

smashingtime · 21/03/2011 21:11

Good for you going! Hope the message comes across loud and clear. It certainly doesn't seem to be at the moment Angry

I'm surprised the police don't join in rather than kettling protesters - they are being shafted too!

RamblingRosa · 22/03/2011 08:33

I think there's actually a lot of support from the police smashingtime. As you say, they're being shafted too.

glasnost · 22/03/2011 08:43

Why do posters get sucked into replying to reactionary right wing illogical posts (thereiver) aimed at getting us into a lather? Just ignore. They're on the wrong side and they know it deep down hence their rude provocative carping.

Have wicked time on Saturday and the more there are the harder the containment will be. Publicise it as much as poss as the national media are pretty much ignoring it as per.

RamblingRosa · 22/03/2011 09:17

Big spread in G2 bit of Guardian today all about the march with lots of "normal people" talking about why they're going on the march.

JeremyVile · 22/03/2011 09:22

I'll be there.

Will be part of a trade union group and will stick with them.

I considered taking ds but decided against it in the end.

GlynisIsFixed · 22/03/2011 09:34

if you can't be there in person but want to be in spirit, there is an on-line action facebook group with loads of info, draft letters, ideas who to send them to etc

PM me if you'd like to know more or search 'Armchair Army' on fb

Smile
custardismyhamster · 22/03/2011 14:45

I'm going, with my union, Unite. I am worried about kettling too but not about trouble, as know full well that Unite, like all the other unions, do peaceful protest very well

smee · 22/03/2011 16:11

I'm taking my six year old DS, OP. Am sure it'll be fine. As the others have said, you can normally spot when trouble's about to start.

I think the violence at the student protests may well have done us all some favours, as it so didn't help the cause. They'll be a lot of pressure for a totally peaceful protest as that will be far, far more effective than one with any trouble.

ILoveSaturdays · 23/03/2011 14:22

Sadly I can't make it. I have however, been on a few demonstrations before.

The only advice I can give is to go with a bit of food, water and a mobile is handy.

Have fun, really wish I could be there.

Also, there is no chance a demo of this size will be kettled.

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