We Will Not Be Silent!
As the G20, the leaders of the 20 richest nations, met in East London on April 2 to discuss their response to the world economic crisis, over 600 young people from across the UK took to the streets of London. The march organised by the newly formed Youth Fight for Jobs campaign, lasted for 8 miles and went through some of the areas of Britain with the highest unemployment.
Leah Ganley reports on the success of the demo and some of the marchers from Scotland give their views.
This was a very youthful, vibrant, colourful and noisy demonstration. Many of the people taking part had never been on any kind of protest before but felt the need to tell the G20 that we will not pay for this crisis – a crisis not caused by us, but by the capitalists and their political representatives.
There were chants such as “Gordon Brown – stop the rot – give us what the bankers got!” and demands that everyone should have the right to a decent job with a minimum wage of at least £8 an hour. This march is only the start of a much bigger campaign for Youth Fight for Jobs.”
Why We’re on the March
Sean Sweeney and Chris Collins from Irvine –
“Before we joined the Youth Fight for Jobs march I was perhaps a bit ignorant to the campaigns aims. For a long time now, me and Chris have been going to protests hopping from one group to another. But with this campaign we found something else.
Coming from a poverty stricken town, we see first hand the devastation that comes when a town is no longer “profitable”.
Ignored by the government it has been hit with a vast number of problems; unemployment, crime, drugs, destitution and an ever deteriorating schools.
The vast majority sit silent, waiting for things to get better. It is clear, however, looking down our main street that things are slowly worsening, with jobs in the retail stores being slashed everywhere. Mk one employees sacked, denied their redundancy package and last payslip. Nothing was said however, the workers were allowed to slip silently into the background.
The march however gave us an opportunity to meet people with similar concerns, young people and older people alike, speaking with one voice, to challenge the current order and economic climate.
We were disappointed with the lack of coverage, but as usual the capitalist press is too concerned with small pockets of violence and branding any anti-capitalist sentiment as “anarchist”.
For such a young campaign however it has made clear that the youth will not be silent and complicit. They will make noise and will not be ignored forever.”
Nim Kibbler, Edinburgh –
“Ten and a half hours on trains, one hour on a coach, one hour and a half on tubes and five hours on foot- was what consisted of a day well spent; shouting and waving flags and having our say on the issues we face as students and younger workers.
Ours are common stories of poor pay, bad treatment, dodgy employment contracts, unhelpful universities and worrying tuition fees. This was a day spent fighting for a future that we want, not one of work, sleep, work, sleep, pay bills, work some more and finally sleep. Only when your in a big human snake of people making its way through London bustling with similar stories do you realise that a change is needed and one that I am willing to fight for. “
Hannah Doyle, Edinburgh –
“The march was an excellent experience and there was a shared concern amongst everyone there which gave the campaign a strong voice.
This campaign is very important to all young people, and not only in the current economic climate, as many of the problems that have been compounded by the recession were created long before. It has always been a struggle for many young people to find a decent job and earn a comfortable wage, and until there are basic changes (like one minimum wage for all ages) younger workers will always be at a disadvantage at a time when they can least afford it. I think the publicity and attention the march received will have got the Youth Fight for Jobs campaign noticed.”
Laurence Hood, Dundee –
“After being unemployed for several months and finding it increasingly difficult to find work – in one instance, being offered a position then having it withdrawn, due to cut backs – I decided to get involved in the Youth Fight for Jobs campaign. Furthermore, having worked with unemployed young people, I have witnessed the resulting social implications.
I saw this campaign as an opportunity to find a direction for my opinions, alongside like-minded people. During the G20 protest in London, I talked to many people with similar concerns. Worries such as unemployment, redundancies, low wages and student debt, which are sure to cause even more problems in the current economic climate. I found the passion of my fellow protesters and the impressive turnout to a new campaign not only inspirational, but a clear sign of the times. I hope to be involved in future events and watch Youth Fight for Jobs grow in strength and numbers. “
Youth Fight for Jobs conference
Saturday 9th May
Cruciform, Lecture Theatre 1,
University College London (UCL),
London WC1E 6BT.
Agenda
10-11am – registration
11-12.30pm – opening rally with Bob Crow, RMT general secretary; Tracy Edwards, PCS young members network; and activists from the campaign.
12.30-1.30pm – lunch
1.30-3pm – workshops
Topics include: current workplace struggles to save jobs; organising the YFfJ campaign; the politicians’ reaction to the crisis; and defending your rights at work.
3-3.30pm – what way forward for YFfJ?
3:30-4:30pm – closing rally. Speakers include Sean Figg, Youth Fight for Jobs national organiser, activists from Greece, and more…
