Hundreds march against cuts in Bangor

From North Wales Against Cuts:

 

Hundreds of trade unionists, workers, students and service users attended a demonstration in Bangor today where a march and rally against the cuts was taking place.

 

The demonstration was organised by North Wales Against Cuts Bangor in response to cuts to jobs and services locally and nationally.

 

The demonstrators were led through the streets by the excellent Batala Bangor band, a local samba-reggae percussion group.

 

 

During the march, many local people stood on the side of the road or came to their front doors to applaud the demonstrators, dance to the drums, and to take leaflets from the PCS union, which explained the alternatives to the vicious cuts. Some even joined the march itself!

 

Following the march there was a short rally near the clock on Bangor High Street, where demonstrators, shoppers and retail workers heard from a number of speakers, including local politicians, Ellie Mae O’Hagan – a local UK Uncut activist – and Robin Jones of the PCS union.

 

The demonstration was attended by young and old alike from across the region, with banners, flags and placards on display from a variety of trade unions and from campaign groups such as Cymdeithas yr Iaith.

 

North Wales Against Cuts Bangor organiser Jan Underwood said: “Cuts affect everyone, and the protest in Bangor showed North Wales values its libraries, hospitals, schools and help for the unemployed and disabled.

 

“There is no need for cuts. If the government closed loopholes that allow companies and rich individuals to avoid taxes there would be no need for them whatsoever.

 

“Following on from the London March for the Alternative last weekend, we must show the ConDem government that the UK as a whole will continue to keep the pressure on, to march for the alternative locally and stand up for equality for all.”

 

Robin Jones of the PCS union said: “Creating jobs will boost the economy and cut the deficit. Cutting jobs will damage the economy and increase the deficit.

 

“We should invest in areas such as housing, renewable energy and public transport and end the use of consultants.”

 

The demonstration was good natured and passed without incident, and illustrated the depth of anger, and the spirit of resistance being fostered, across the length and breadth of Wales and the UK to these unnecessary and ideological cuts.

 

You can watch a short ITV Wales news report here.

 

Pictures courtesy of Stillshooter.