An estimated 250,000 people joined a demonstration in London yesterday to save the NHS, making it the largest of its kind in history. And the Save Glenfield campaigners were there in force!
More than 100 activists from Leicester, including many involved with the Save Glenfield Heart Centre group, attended the demonstration – supported by PCS and Unite who provided coaches.
Chants included “No ifs, no buts, no NHS cuts” and “Save our Glenfield, save our NHS”.
Protestors from other groups asked us about what the “Save Glenfield” campaign was about, before expressing solidarity and joining in with our chants.
One protestor said that, having walked the length of the demonstration, the Leicester contingent was amongst the loudest and most vibrant.
In an unexpected boost, Len McCluskey, the leader of Britain’s largest trade union Unite, name-dropped the Save Glenfield campaign at the closing rally:
“I marched in Leicester… the largest demonstration that had ever been seen in Leicester defending the children’s heart unit that they [the government] are trying to close down. And that’s why today you are the voice of millions and millions of people.”
The march was organised by Health Campaigns Together, a group which aims to bring together the all the many health campaigns which have sprung up around the country for the common purpose of defending the NHS
The Save Glenfield group supports Health Campaigns Together in fighting for a fully funded NHS.
Photos courtesy of Steve Score and Michael Barker
[…] part of a campaign. Building upon the successful protests in Leicester, as well as last month’s massive It’s Our NHS demonstration in London, there will be many future events to build for both in Leicester and […]
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