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Hundreds of thousands take to streets in protests and civil disobedience
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Protests to be held every day at 5.30pm across country, starting Monday
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Opposition set to attempt to thwart Johnson as parliament sits next week
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in a show of defiance against Boris Johnson’s attempted to shut down parliament and force through his Brexit agenda. More than a hundred thousand have joined a huge protest in London, addressed by John McDonnell and a host of grassroots voices, concerned citizens and trade unionists. Across the country, protesters are engaged in civil disobedience, shutting down roads and bridges.
The protests are organised by a newly forming coalition around the banner of #StopTheCoup. The left wing anti-Brexit group Another Europe is Possible has so far coordinated the protests, alongside Momentum, the Green Party and others.
Parliament is due to start meeting next week, with opposition parties set to come together to thwart Johnson’s attempts to force a No Deal exit. Jeremy Corbyn has allied with the protest movement and issued calls for MPs and party members to join the demonstrations.
As of Monday, protests will be gathering every single day from 5.30pm across the country. The numbers attending the events is anticipated to grow exponentially.
A new online hub for the movement has been set up for the movement here: https://www.stopthecoup.org.
Alena Ivanova, from Another Europe is Possible, said:
“Today’s protests are the beginning of something huge – they have been inspiring, full of youth and diversity and energy. Over the next few weeks, they must grow into the millions – and from Monday there is a simple time and place to remember for them: 5.30pm, in the centre of every single town in the country.”
Laura Parker, Momentum’s National Coordinator, said:
“Nobody voted for an Eton educated millionaire to hijack our democracy in his own self interest. He is part of the same tiny, privileged elite which has been hoarding power at the top and eroding our democracy for decades. We need to rebalance power away from this tiny elite and towards the majority of people.”
Clive Lewis MP said:
“Our movement is about more than Brexit, but we need to be clear about what this moment represents. Brexit is about undermining our rights and freedoms, deregulating the economy and selling off our NHS to American multinationals. There is no mandate for this – so it isn’t surprising that in order to make it happen, the government is trashing democracy. We need to defeat Boris Johnson’s whole agenda.”
ENDS
NOTES
1. For more information please ring Ana on 07895405312 or email info@anothereurope.org
2. The website for #StopTheCoup is here: https://www.stopthecoup.org.
3. The list of actions from today can be partially viewed here: https://www.anothereurope.org/
31st August 2019