March 26 Demonstration: A Marvellous Day of Solidarity
CIRCULAR2011HOC0151MW
29 March 2011
TO: ALL MEMBERS
Dear Brother/Sister
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the demonstrations in London and Belfast on Saturday. We saw the biggest political demonstrations of recent years in a remarkable show of solidarity and determination. I am sure everyone will join me in thanking the very many people who were involved in organising the FBU participation at national and local level. We shall be producing more detailed reports for Firefighter and in video form. I have also posted a brief report on my blog on the FBU website.
The attendance from FBU members was fantastic. The London march saw the largest turnout from our union on an event not specifically organised by ourselves i.e. one organised by the trade union movement as a whole. Other people who attended have commented with praise on the size, discipline and organisation of the FBU section of the march. I am also aware that several large FBU delegations were unable to meet up with the main contingent due to travel difficulties and the sheer numbers of people on the streets.
We have also received comments of thanks from outside the FBU for our pipe band, from Humberside, who led the FBU section. They played what must have been their longest ever musical session to the great support of FBU marchers and many thousands of others.
I am aware that many other members were unable to attend due to work or other commitments. I am sure there will be other opportunities at local and national level very soon.
Thank you and well done to the members and their families who attended and marched. People came from all over the country – with many, very long journeys – to stand together and say: No to Cuts, No to austerity; Hands off our pensions!
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
MW/sll
Download in PDF format
