Silence is deafening
Reporter: Marina Berry
Date published: 24 February 2011
MAKING their point . . . protesters gather in silence outside the civic centre
PROTESTERS gathered outside the doors to yesterday’s council meeting to lobby councillors against making cuts which would result in job losses.
Around 40 UNISON and GMB members took part in the silent protest, hoping for an 11th-hour U-turn which would see some jobs safeguarded.
UNISON branch secretary Julie Finnegan said it was a last-ditch attempt to change minds, saying: “History shows that huge cuts over a very short period of time result in sky-high unemployment levels, and with benefits being taken away, they will end up living in poverty.”
The group rubbed shoulders with Link Centre users who fear the loss of a vital service.
Protesters piled into the public gallery to hear the coalition’s budget proposals voted through by only two votes — with 31 for and 29 against.
They were among around 75 members of the public who were there to watch the debate which resulted in the biggest ever level of cuts to hit the council.
