Rochdale protestors attend anti-cuts demo

UNISON members from Rochdale in Hyde Park

People from Rochdale were among the hundreds of thousands of protestors marching through London in a mass demonstration against government cuts on Saturday (26 March 2011).

Hundreds from across Greater Manchester travelled to the capital on coaches and trains to join the biggest union-organised event for 20 years.

Up to half a million people took part in the largely peaceful protest that was marred by a breakaway group of violent activists who attacked shops and banks around Oxford Street and caused trouble in Trafalgar Square.

The Rochdale UNISON branch travelled to the march by coach. They left Rochdale, with UNISON members from Oldham at 5.30am and arrived in Wembley just after 10.00am.

They then travelled to London by tube and joined the march. They walked to Hyde Park where there were several speakers before travelling home.

Branch Secretary Helen Harrison, said: “There were half a million people there. It was massive. It was such good fun. It was like a carnival atmosphere.

“We feel very strongly about defending public services and to have a demonstration of that size was unbelievable – the government have got to take note from that.

“People had travelled the length of the country to get there.

“It was very friendly; every one was talking to each other.”

The Rochdale UNISON members were armed with a banner, flags and wore UNISON t-shirts.

Ms Harrison said there were talks on the day about holding future marches.

“This is not a one off,” she said.

“We will campaign forever whilst services are being cut.

“We are going to continue,” concluded Ms Harrison.

Violence saw Top Shop the Ritz, grocers Fortnum and Mason and banks Santander, HSBC and RBS attacked.

There were scuffles with police with fireworks and flares set off and light bulbs filled with ammonia thrown at officers.

Just over 200 arrests were made, mostly for public disorder offences, with 66 people reported to have been injured, including at least 31 police officers.