TUC National Demonstration Against Cuts

[OrangeBernard]

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

OK, this is a bit slack, but I have to be somewhere else in the West End by 2:30. Do you think if we went down earlyish (me and DS,11) we could march for a bit and then break off by about 1:45 so we could then slip away and walk/tube off? Is that a stupid plan and bound to go wrong, or worth it to show support in the morn?

I'm going with my baby. It's a big, respectable, mainstream demonstration so I think the police will behave themselves!

So long as you stick to the main march and aren't on one of the more radical feeder marches it'll be fine, you won't be kettled.

Snacks, drinks, lots of layers depending on the weather, a hat and an AtoZ are my tips.

Himalaya, it's easy to slip off, but not so easy to get anywhere as they'll close streets and maybe some tube stations too. Plan your route carefully.

Ta smee, thats what I was thinking. But then if the West End is in total lock-down I may not be able to get where I need to be anyway! So I'll guess I'll risk it.

Himalaya you'll be fine doing that. Plan your route well though. If I were you and had a baby with me, I'd probably avoid the beginning of the march (embankment) - I think that will be the most chaotic - and join the march somewhere like Trafalgar Sq. It should be less crowded/hassly at that end and it's then easy to slip away.

We are going with our six year old and plenty of snacks for the day. Friends and colleagues are also going with their young children. There should be a lot of families and I can't see the police kettling in people with young children. You can join the march at various points if you don't want to do the whole march and once at the Rally in Hyde Park, there should be a lot of space for everyone. There is more information on marchforthealternative.org.uk/

I'll definitely be there, with all my friends and lots of UCU members.

It's looking to be huge. I've been following the weather report all week, it's been changing every day. ;)

Latest news is that it should be slightly overcast and around 10 degrees during the day and freezing at night. So... make sure you bring stuff to keep warm in the evening!

I am thinking of heading in to town with my 2 DS, but for the rally part only. What time do you all think would be best to get there? Will it go on late do you think?

Am looking forward to it!

The website says 1.30 for the rally. I don't imagine it will go on too late. 3pm maybe? 4?

PS. Do you all know that women are being encouraged to wear suffragette colours (green and purple) to make a statement about how women are getting a particularly bad deal with the new government (it's not really "new" now is it).

So what are you putting on your placards then folks?

really wish i was going to this but have to see mil, organised ages ago really wish you all luck who are going

Anyone else seen this? Made me smile. Happy Marching tomorrow everyone. Let's hope it makes some sort of dent.

Thanks for all the tips good luck tomorrow

Good luck tomorrow everyone and have a great time.

"What are you putting on your placards?" DD's (age 11) placard which I'm taking- "They're Tories. You can't really blame them. Oh, wait! Yes, you can!"
The child's a genius..

:-) love it

I can't make it, unfortunately but will be following False Economy's suggestions here:

falseeconomy.org.uk/stepforward

Good luck tomorrow everyone - and thank you for marching for those of us who can't be there. Hope the sun shines for you all

Weather forecast for London for tomorrow is cloudy, max 13* C.

I thought I saw something on a news report which suggested the awkward squad would be trying to invade shops along Oxford Street. If that's a well known serious plan, it might be an area to avoid. Trafalgar Square is also set to be very crowded - might be an area to miss if you have children with you.

Expectation is that buses will be very disrupted; be prepared to walk. A-Z for finding Tube stations or just navigating if your planned route gets blocked seems very sensible.

I'll be marching with Fawcett. Hope to see some of you there,

Hi after discussion with DH who was going to stay at home with the DDs, we are going to attend as a family. We will be with Croydon NUT (DH will be waving at the members of UCU) but we may hang back and join the buggy block if it gets really busy... which it will!

I will see you there!!

Good luck to you all - would be there but it is dd's birthday, and she's not quite old enough (or young enough) to see the benefits of a 8 hr coach journey & a march over and above a trip to the water park

Yep, lots of layers - fleece not cotton to dry quick in case of getting wet, lots of food and water, and at least twice as much chocolate as you think you might possibly need.

Another one who can't make it but is sending thanks and best wishes to all of those who are marching. Have a great day!

God I'd love to go for a laugh.
It will be full of eanest sorts all convinced that their jobs offering outreach services to vulnerable rabbits are vital and that the world will crumble without them offering endless workshops and awareness training.

Hope they all get kettled and shunted into the Thames.

Nice try moondog.