FDA report from the March for the Alternative
On Saturday 26 March, an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 people joined the TUC's March for the Alternative, organised to protest against the Coalition Government's spending cuts. FDA members, representatives and staff - some with their partners and children - joined the march. FDA and ARC (Association of Revenue and Customs) banners were held aloft during the four-hour march, along with smaller individual flags and FDA balloons. More photos from the march can be viewed at: FDA on the March for the Alternative - 26 March 2011.
Dave Penman, FDA head of operations, said: "It was fantastic to be part of such a widespread demonstration of the anger that public servants and the public feel at the Government's brutal cuts. The turnout from FDA members was amazing and we were very visible in what was an enormous demonstration."
Terry Cook, a member from HM Revenue and Customs and of the FDA Executive Committee, said: "It really was incredible to see so many people demonstrate with such a united purpose. ARC's campaign to defeat the deficit demonstrates that there is an alternative to these draconian cuts in public spending and the terrible impact they are having on both public sector workers and the public we serve."
The march began at Victoria Embankment in central London - travelling past Parliament Square, the entrance to Downing Street and Trafalgar Square - and ended with a rally at Hyde Park, where speakers included Labour leader Ed Miliband and TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.
Barber said: "I don't expect the government to suddenly announce they're going to make a U-turn because of an event like this, but they are going to have to start reflecting pretty seriously. This was Middle Britain on the march [on Saturday].
"I think the tide of opinion is really flowing very heavily now against the government's strategy... And when the people speak, governments have to listen."
Global union federation Public Services International have created a video about the march, which can be viewed at: PSI March for the Alternative film. 