Protesters march through London calling for change

Saturday 28th March 2009

Tens of thousands of people marched through central London today to call for a "fundamental change" to the global financial and economic system.

The event was organised by Put People First, an alliance of over 150 unions and development, faith and environment groups.

A statement from the GMB Union said the march called for "decent jobs and public services for all; for justice to end global poverty and inequality and to build a green economy to stop climate change".

Around 35,000 people are said to have attended and made their way from Victoria Embankment to Marble Arch, with a rally then taking place in Hyde Park.

The event came just days before disparate groups of anarchists, socialists, anti-globalisation protesters and environmentalists attempt to bring London to a standstill ahead of the G20 summit on Thursday.

The Metropolitan police have already assigned some 3,000 officers to police a mass "street party" planned for Wednesday April 1st, dubbed Financial Fools Day.

Anarchist groups will protest outside the Bank of England with some reportedly planning on attempting to break through police lines. A number of city firms have warned their staff to expect problems and have suggested dressing down so as to prevent any trouble.

Today's marchers, however, have been keen to disassociate themselves from the more violent demonstrations.

The demonstrators also demanded that world leaders take action to make sure the financial sector is never allowed to provoke such instability again, and for a low-carbon response to the crisis which focuses on poverty reduction.

The range of demands – all united under the banner of a progressive response to the downturn – reflects the variety of groups under the Put People First banner, from the TUC to the Salvation Army, Friends of the Earth to Oxfam and Shelter to War on Want.

Organisers said beforehand union delegations and poverty campaigners would be coming from around the world to the march.

"Never before has such a wide coalition come together with such a clear message for world leaders," said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

"The old ideas of unregulated free markets do not work, and have brought the world's economy to near collapse, failed to fight poverty and have done far too little to move to a low-carbon economy."

Church leaders were also involved in the march. The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, joined an ecumenical service at Central Hall in Westminster at 11:00 GMT, attended by more than 2,000 people and before feeding into the march at Westminster.

A number of high-profile figures were expected to attend the rally, including Kooks lead singer Luke Pritchard and left-wing comedian and activist Mark Thomas.

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