Across the pond

Despite warnings of violence in the streets, the Put the People First march in London on Saturday passed off entirely peacefully.

Amazingly because 35,000 people turned up to protest and with a crowd that size it is difficult for both the organisers and the police control those few who don’t know the meaning of non-violent protest. The march was protesting, not only about Fred the Shed and the other bankers: the theme was ‘jobs, justice and climate’, and hoping that the world leaders, coming to London this week for the G20 summit, would listen.

The march was organised by more than 100 trade unions working together with charities such as Friends of the Earth, Save the Children and Action Aid and church groups. None of the mainstream press paid much attention to it, apart from The Guardian. Even The Independent put the main focus of its article on Gordon Brown’s promise that he would meet the protester’s demands.

This is not unusual. The mainstream press only gives such marches front page headline treatment when there is violence.   If un-employed youth want to get the attention of the Daily Mail, whey need to throw a few bricks through the windows of the Banks, which is what a few are supposed to be planning next Wednesday in the City of London.

The Put People First march yesterday was organised by a collaboration of more than 100 trade unions, church groups and charities including ActionAid, Save the Children and Friends of the Earth. The theme was “jobs, justice and climate” and the message was aimed at the world leaders who will be gathering for the G20 summit here this week.

Photograph at top: Courtesy Toby Melville/Reuters