Marching Is Not Enough – Boycott Workfare and DPAC Show the Way

Militant actions by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and Boycott Workfare were the high points at yesterday’s TUC march which otherwise was depressingly reminiscent of the ever decreasing returns which demolished the antiwar movement at the start of the century.

Union leaders have repeatedly threatened campaigns of direct action or civil disobedience aimed at austerity which have never materialised.  Yesterday hundreds of people decided to ignore their speeches in Hyde Park and take part in the mass shut down of workfare exploiters on Oxford Street or  join DPAC in blockading Park Lane.

The Radical Workers bloc, called by Solidarity Federation, which joined the unofficial feeder march from South London, was well attended and spirited.  Determined and disciplined fitwatching along the route of the march ensured that police intelligence gathering was kept to a minimum.

On arrival at Trafalgar Square a large portion of the march outwitted the heavy police presence and broke away from the route.  For a short period it seemed as if the glories of last year on March 26th, when every bank and The Ritz was given a taste of working class rage, might be repeated.  Sadly this was not to be.

Whilst the mob stormed through the back streets of the West End, hundreds of people were already gathering at Oxford Circus for the Boycott Workfare actions.  As the crowd swelled a samba band and impressively loud soundsystem led the crowd to the Carnaby branch of the workfare exploiting Hilton Hotel chain.  After a brief occupation of the hotel, the fast moving protest moved on to target Primark, McDonalds, Marks & Spencers and the Salvation Army who are all involved in using unpaid labour.

Tax dodgers Starbucks, Boots and Vodafone were also targeted and many stores rushed to close as the protest approached.  Despite some scuffles, and a strong response to any sign of aggresive policing, the day remained peaceful, with just a couple of arrests reported by legal monitors.

Meanwhile the news came through that Disabled People Against Cuts had blocked the busy Park Lane with wheelchair users chaining themselves together to stop traffic.  Whilst some people left Oxford Street to join them, others played a cat and mouse game with police around the West End.  Police attempts to kettle or contain people were thwarted by the speed of protesters, but ultimately it all got a bit messy and confused.  The large crowd repeatedly become separated and groups at times found themselves running in different directions.  Eventually the splintered protest diminished and there are lessons to be learnt.

Whilst the march overall was well attended, the numbers were much reduced from last year’s TUC demo on March 26th.  Marches, whilst great for meeting people, are ultimately ineffective and at worst merely serve to give the impression of consent.  If just 10% of the people who marched passively against the Iraq war had instead blockaded air bases or taken militant direct action against high value targets then the mass slaughter that followed in the Middle East may never have taken place.  We cannot make the same mistake now that the UK, along with the rest of Europe, is being plunged into a neo-liberal capitalist hell whilst the rich co-ordinate the destruction of any last form of meaningful resistance to their greed.

It’s of little surprise that it’s benefit claimants and disabled people who are fighting hardest against the vicious and needless austerity drive.  The so called squeezed middle, who seem to be the only people that matter – other than the rich – to all three political parties, are indeed facing job insecurity or cut backs to their living standards.  For the low waged, disabled or unemployed people, the situation is far more acute as the poorest are scapegoated and blamed for all of capitalism’s problems.

We are fighting for our homes, our health, our kids and in all too many cases our lives.  The death toll from austerity is real and grows every day.  No amount of marching to Hyde Park and listening to Ed Milliband promising more of the same will change that.

Strikes, occupations, blockades, sabotage and direct confrontation are all we have left.  If the trade unions genuinely want a future that works then co-ordinated surrenders, as happened over public pensions, are a betrayal of working class people.  This really isn’t a dress rehearsal, they want to take away everything we’ve won.  The question is do we have what it takes to stop them?

Above pic from:  http://www.facebook.com/boycottworkfare

Police Violence Mars Successful Day of Action Against Atos

One wheelchair user suffered a broken shoulder yesterday after police indiscriminately attacked a peaceful protest held by disabled people and supporters outside the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Several hundred people had earlier gathered outside the London headquarters of Paralympic sponsor Atos as part of the week of action against the company.  Atos carry out the Work Capability Assessment, a computer based test which has been used to find hundreds of thousands of disabled and seriously ill people ‘fit for work’.

Tragically several people have committed suicide after Atos and the DWP have connived to cut their benefits, whist many more have had conditions worsened by the endless and traumatic assessment regime.  Astonishingly Atos are also sponsors of the London Paralympic Games.

Whilst speeches and angry chants condemned the company outside their own front  door, other disabled activists had joined up with UK Uncut outside Caxton House in Westminster, the home of the DWP.  Several people gained entrance to the building, with two wheelchairs users locking themselves in the doorway.  A line of people formed in front of the doors with banners effectively closing the building down.

After several minutes of confusion on the part of G4S security staff, scores of police arrived and pushed past the line of people into the building.  As more and more police arrived a tense stand off took place with growing numbers of police both inside and outside the building.

Luckily help was at hand as the demonstration at the Atos HQ ended and over 200 people came to join protesters outside the DWP.  A lively crowd gathered outside the building whilst another line of wheelchair users formed in front of the door.

The police response became increasingly aggressive as groups of officers repeatedly attempted to push through lines of people and clear the space.  At one point police charged out of the building, lashing out at disabled and non disabled protesters like.  This caused several people to be pushed onto the line of wheelchair users, with one man suffering a fractured shoulder as a result, whilst another protester was pushed out of their wheelchair.  When one man objected to this wholly unnecessary use of violence by police he was arrested.

Disabled activists have expressed outrage at this reckless and irresponsible police response which could easily have resulted in far more serious injuries (or even worse).  No thought seemed to be given at all to the large numbers of disabled people, or those with serious health conditions, who were present at the demonstration.  Many in the crowd expressed disbelief at such unnecessary violence at an entirely peaceful occupation of the lobby of a public building.  With the recent acquittal of Simon Harwood, the police officer who killed Ian Tomlinson at the G20 demonstration in 2009, it appears the police have new confidence in using violent tactics to suppress peaceful protest.

As police finally managed to secure the front doors of the DWP, ironically blockading it themselves, the mood eased slightly and people began to make speeches telling of their experience at the hands of Atos and the DWP.  Eventually those protesters remaining inside the building were allowed to leave and emerged to large cheers from the assembled crowd.

Whilst the day was marred by the police’s use of unnecessary force, it was still a great success with the largest demonstration so far outside Atos and a creative, and ultimately hugely successful direct action at the DWP.  Whilst just a few miles away Paralympics were being celebrated, the events taking place in Central London showed the true face of this Government’s attitude towards disabled people.  Paralympians are handed medals for the cameras in front cheering crowds whilst hundreds of thousands of disabled people face benefit cuts and poverty.  Yesterday’s events revealed that those who complain can expect to be violently attacked by state thugs.

Disabled People Against Cuts, who called the protest, have vowed not to be deterred with more actions and protests planned.  Other groups are also mobilising to resist this toff Government’s endless war on those with least. A National Day of Action Against Workfare has been called by Boycott Workfare for next Saturday 8th September.

Vigil for Atos Victims – DPAC Action – Weds 29th August

Disabled people, benefit claimants and supporters will be holding a vigil and remembrance event for those who have died due to the actions of Paralympic sponsor Atos.  The event will take place outside the company’s UK Head Office in Triton Square, Euston on Wednesday August 29th, the same day as the opening of the Paralympic Games. Meet 3.45pm for 4pm start.

Atos are responsible for carrying out the Government’s notorious Work Capability Assessment, a relentless health and disability assessment regime which has been used to slash vital benefits from hundred of thousands of sick and disabled people.

Tragically several people have committed suicide due to the endless, stressful assessments and the threat of poverty and destitution they bring.  An  investigation by the Daily Mirror found that 32 people a week die after being declared ‘fit for work’ by the company, whilst Channel 4′s Dispatches recently exposed the system as ‘toxic’ in the words of Atos’ own staff.

Campaigners will gather in the square at 3.30pm and will deliver a coffin full of messages from victims of Atos to the front door of the company’s headquarters.  A memorial service will then take place, involving a reading of the names of those who have died due to the company’s actions.  Some of the messages will be attached to black balloons and released and members of the congregation will speak of their own experiences at the hands of Atos.

All are welcome to attend and are asked to wear black if possible.

This event takes place during the National Week of Action Against Atos called by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), to coincide with the London Paralympic Games.

Events are scheduled to take place in towns and cities around around the UK and in London disabled people and supporters will be back at Triton Square on Friday 31st August for the Closing Atos Ceremony.

The Closing Atos Ceremony – UK Uncut and DPAC To Close Down the Poverty Pimps!

On Friday 31 August, UK Uncut and DPAC will be shutting down Atos’ London HQ for the Closing ATOS Ceremony. Meet in Triton Square at 12:45pm for direct action and creative protest, with plenty of surprises…

From UK Uncut

Friday 31st August Atos HQ, Triton Square, London 12:45pm

Don’t let Atos be a winner at the Paralympic Games – join us for The Closing Atos Ceremony, the grand finale to Disabled People Against Cuts’ week of Atos Games.

Atos are sponsoring the Paralympics, whilst wrecking disabled people’s lives. George Osborne has vowed to slash £18 billion from the welfare budget, regardless of peoples’ needs and ignoring the alternatives. To help them do their dirty work, the Government are paying Atos £100 million a year to ‘test’ sick and disabled people and decide whether they’re ‘fit for work’. But Atos’ Work Capability Assessments are driving disabled people to suicide and over 1,000 people have died of their illnesses soon after being found ‘fit for work’.

The Government claim that the welfare system is being abused- this just isn’t true. Less than 0.4% of Incapacity benefit payments are fraudulent, but the government want to cut welfare spending by 20%. And instead of helping to get people into work, the government are closing workplaces for disabled people.

The Government and Atos don’t give a toss about disabled people. This is about making ordinary people pay for a crisis caused by the bankers. It’s about making disabled people pay, instead of super-rich tax dodgers who cost us over £25 billion every year. This is an ideological attack on the welfare state; these cuts are a political choice. But we’re fighting back.

On Friday 31 August, UK Uncut and DPAC will be shutting down Atos’ London HQ for the Closing ATOS Ceremony. Meet in Triton Square at 12:45pm for direct action and creative protest, with plenty of surprises…

The nearest fully accessible British Rail station is Kings Cross. From there, catch Bus 30 towards Marble Arch or Bus 205 towards Paddington from stop R or A, and get off at Warren Street, bus stop V.

Please email or text to let us know about your travel and communication support needs, and we will try our best to meet them: mail@dpac.uk.net, or text 07502 022 077.

We understand that issues which affect disabled people also affect the Deaf community, and British Sign Language will be available on the day.

This action needs you! Join for the afternoon, or come on your lunch break. There will be lots of ways to take part – hand out leaflets, hold banners, or get involved in creative and daring ways. If you’re not in London, check the DPAC website for details and other ways to get involved in The Atos Games.

Atos are making millions of pounds enforcing the government’s unnecessary cuts. It’s up to all of us to fight back, defend our welfare system, and demand the alternatives. Let’s show them that we do give a toss.

See you at Atos HQ!

Join the FB event to stay up to date with the plans

Paupers’ Picnic at House of Commons – July 17th

From Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC)

DISABLED PEOPLE AGAINST CUTS, ARE HOLDING THEIR LATEST DIRECT PROTEST ACTION OF DELICATE DISRUPTION ON 17th JULY ON COLLEGE GREEN AND IN THE CENTRAL LOBBY OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

There will be an alternative Picnic On The Commons on Tuesday 17th July 2012. The aim is to Lobby MP’s in the Central Lobby and then go onto a Paupers Picnic consisting of Bread and Water as a symbolic gesture.

The time to start going into the Central Lobby to see your MP is 2pm onwards, so please give yourselves enough time to go through Security and be guided by House Of Commons Guides to walk you to the Central Lobby. Meet for 1.45pm on College Green opposite Parliament if you want to go in a group.

As Tuesday 17th July is the day that Parliament goes in Recess and all the MP’s rush off for their 2 month paid holidays, by lobbying them we will be keeping them back a bit and maybe  inconvenience them as they must see their constituents if a signed Green Slip is submitted.

Everyone attending will be wanting to lobby their MP on their local disability issues in their constituency or they will be lobbying them in supporting DPAC in their aims of direct action to raise the harm that the Welfare Reform Act has caused many of us in the UK Disabled Community.

After we have seen our MPs, we will invite them to join in with our alternative picnic, so bring along a blanket, food & drink.

Disabled Protesters Bring Traffic Chaos To Central London

Disabled protesters brought parts of central London to a stand still today after a successful protest blocked two roads at a major junction on the South side of Trafalgar Square.

The protest met outside Mcdonalds in Leicester Square, before taking the road and marching towards Trafalgar Square.  On leaving Leicester Square the police tried to force protesters off the road, but this attempt at physical intimidation was resisted.  After terse negotiations the police agreed to let march walk down the road if it stopped at Trafalgar Square.

Quick witted protesters were already at the Southern point of the Square, and as the march arrived a group of wheelchair users headed out into the street and D-locked their wheelchairs blocking two roads at the busy junction.

Whilst flummoxed coppers started to get a bit physical, it was to no avail as people were able to dodge round them into the road to support the blockade.  Traffic began to build up quickly behind both blockades although several drivers of the vehicles in the burgeoning traffic jam were supportive of the action being taken.

Both roads were closed for an hour until police once again resorted to physical force to open up one lane of traffic.  This did little to ease the congestion which was now stretching out across London in all directions.  Despite intermittent heavy rain the blockades remained in force for just over another hour before leaving to cheers celebrating a job well done.

The protest was called by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), with protesters travelling from across the UK to take part.  The heroic Black Triangle Anti-Defamation Campaign were out in force from as far away as Scotland whilst others had come from the Isle of Wight, Manchester, Brighton and Winchester.  Other claimant groups including Boycott Workfare were also present in support of the action, along with other groups including UK Uncut and Right to Work, whilst drummers from samba band Rhythms of Resistance helped keep spirits high.

This is the second time this year that an action of this nature has gridlocked London’s busy West End and will not be the last.  Disability and claimant groups are furious at the ongoing war on disabled people, in which benefits and care funding are being slashed, Remploy factories closed down and ever more humiliating tests being devised in an attempt to strip vital benefits from people who already often live in poverty.

A demonstration is being held outside Parliament this Friday 20th April in protest at the Remploy factory closures, whilst May Day has been declared a Day of Action Against the Government’s failing and exploitative workfare schemes.

Demo for Remploy Workers: April 20th London

From UNITE – via DPAC

Date: Friday, 20th April 2012
Time: Assembly Midday
Place: Outside the Department of Work and Pensions, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA
Rally: March to Old Palace Yard, Westminster (opposite Parliament) for Rally with Speakers

We must show the strength of feeling that taking jobs from disabled people should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

Transport is being arranged from all Remploy London sites.  For information contact: julie.haynes@remploy.co.uk

It would be helpful if you can register to attend by clicking http://fight4remploy.eventbrite.co.uk/

Please come – and bring your friends – and bring your families too!!

On 7th March Remploy announced its intention to close all of its factories with the potential compulsory redundancy of 1,752 mostly disabled workers. The joint Unions are committed to fighting to save the Remploy factories and our members’ jobs.

We must show the strength of feeling that taking jobs from disabled people should not be tolerated in a civilised society. It will not improve the country’s financial situation – it may well make it worse.

Join us in the fight to save Remploy

This is 2 days after the Central London action planned by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on the 18th April – meet at Leicester Square McDonalds at 1.30.

DPAC are currently trying to raise money to help with people’s travel costs on the day – please help if you can.

Call To Action – From Disabled People Against Cuts

Protest 18th of April led by Disabled People Against Cuts

Call To Action

Make Osborne and Cameron Obsolete

Disabled People are asking as many people as possible, from every section
of society, to come to London to show their opposition to “The Scapegoating of Disabled People” including Remploy workers and “Selling Pensioners Down the River” with the  “The Granny Tax”.

Trade Unionists, Pensioners, Disabled People and all claimants need to stand UNITED against these vicious attacks.

Meet Leicester Square McDonalds:  at 1:30Pm on the 18th of April. There will be a short stroll or wheel from here. Any accessible transport queries can be addressed to Transport for All: contactus@transportforall.org.uk telephone 02077372339.

http://www.dpac.uk.net/