Mass protest against spending cuts in London
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Protesters hold banners during a protest organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), called "The March for the Alternative," in central London March 26, 2011. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] |
Tens of thousands of people rallied in central London Saturday in protest against the government's spending cuts.
The protest, the largest since the coalition government came to power, attracted people from across the country, including public sector workers, pensioners, students, and members of community groups and trade unions.
More than 4,500 police officers were on duty at Oxford Street, one of the busiest shopping streets, the rally venue Hyde Park and other places for the demonstration dubbed the "march for the Alternative", which was organized by the Trade Union Congress.
Sporadic clashes between protesters and the police were heard during the march and one shop was smashed.
Ed Miliband, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said at the rally: "The Tories said I should not come and speak today. But I am proud to stand with you. There is an alternative."
General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress Brendan Barber told the rally: "We are here to send a message to the government that we are strong and united. We will fight the savage cuts and we will not let them destroy peoples' services, jobs and lives."
The coalition government of Britain has taken a series of measures to cut the country's budget deficit after it came to power, including reducing the cost of the public sector and raising university fee limits.
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| Demonstrators clash with British police officers as they try to storm a department store during a protest against the coalition government's spending cuts, in central London, Saturday, March 26, 2011. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) |
Protestors clash with police in rally in London
Protesters clashed with riot police and attacked banks and luxury stores in London on Saturday as about 250,000 Britons rallied against government spending cut.
The police said more than 200 people were arrested during the protest, one of the biggest in the country since the Iraq war in 2003. Dozens of people including police were injured.
Some protestors attacked police officers with bottles, paint and wood, damaged bank branches, and set fire on several locations.
The protest attracted people from across the country, including public sector workers, pensioners, students, and members of community groups and trade unions.
More than 4500 police officers were on duty at Oxford Street, one of the busiest shopping streets, the rally venue Hyde Park and other places for the demonstration dubbed the "march for the Alternative", which was organized by the Trade Union Congress.
Ed Miliband, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said at the rally: "The Tories said I should not come and speak today. But I am proud to stand with you. There is an alternative."
General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress Brendan Barber told the rally: "We are here to send a message to the government that we are strong and united. We will fight the savage cuts and we will not let them destroy peoples' services, jobs and lives."
The coalition government of Britain has taken a series of measures to cut the country's budget deficit after it came to power, including reducing the cost of the public sector and raising university fee limits.
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