It was wet and cold, but great to see so many braving the appalling weather for such an important cause. More photos here: http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2015/01/...arch-for-homes-in-south-london-photo-feature/
I was well wrapped up and the rain didn't bother me. Good turnout despite the weather. I think some of the speeches and arguments could have been a bit better expressed. It felt like it was getting a bit SWP-y, but there were open mikes for people to express themselves which is a good thing. I find that marches these days compared to ones in the 1990s are quite quiet, everyone just toddles along. There used to be much more chanting and noise, but well generations change I guess. Maybe on the next one I'll write a little rant to shout down the microphone myself.
The sound system on the Elephant bit of the march did a great job of engaging older marchers by playing "Babylon is burning" just as we were moving off.
ended with a break-away march heading down the Old Kent Road to The Aylesbury Estate where 3 empty flats have been occupied: http://rabble.org.uk/aylesbury-estate-occupied/
It was a good march, the shitty weather aside. I heard numbers of around 4,000 but it could have been more than that and I was rather buoyed by all the grass-roots groups coming together, and the lack of dominance by the usual A to B leftism. The early part of the demo had an open platform, which was a really nice touch, though the venue was too small to facilitate the numbers and it became stressful moving about. At the end there were several moves for action by both the Aylesbury Estate occupation and a group calling itself Brick Lane Debates, which I assume came out of Occupy, but I found it a little bit confusing what was going on so occupied wetherspoons instead.
More photos here courtesy of Gramsci http://www.urban75.org/blog/thousan...at-city-hall-for-the-march-for-homes-protest/
Really disappointed not to have been there! Some GOOD friends of mine Vigo and Andrea (an ex neighbour/friend who made Estate) in part of the opening of this vid. Great comments from a range of people.
Good to see such a passionate community standing up for themselves and shocked to hear that the land made available of demolishing social housing is valued at £52 billion!!! That pretty much shows the struggle ahead for Londoners having affordable housing.
I have some pics from the Shoreditch end, I'll put them up when I get home. Fair turnout I thought given the filthy weather—looks like more at the south of the river start point.
Had no idea this was on though I guess it explains why the SWP were setting up a stall in Shoreditch early on Saturday.
Will those in power take any notice of this march though? Hope the bastards don't just pretend it never happened then fuck off to business as usual
P1040354 by redspotted, on Flickr P1040359 by redspotted, on Flickr P1040378 by redspotted, on Flickr P1040408 by redspotted, on Flickr P1040419 by redspotted, on Flickr
Same as, but at least my placard got there (it's the waterproofed one). I know that some people on the march weren't that well, but I really did look and feel like shit.
I was surprised more TU's weren't on the march and knowing unite organised it, as heightened that view. Increased living costs due to rising rents is a major issue for all workers particularly key sector workers like nurses, firemen etc.
