The rally coincided with a council meeting that took place at the same time inside the building, and at which some of the most drastic measures were to be decided. Hundreds of council workers, members of community groups, workers and residents - supported by Reclaim The Streets activists and a Samba Band - gathered in front of the Town Hall chanting "No more cuts!"

Speakers from several unions and community groups explained how the council had wasted large sums of money up until its final bankruptcy and suggested that the council should be held responsible - not the residents suffering under the present cuts.

To the rythm of Samba drums the crowd finally moved onto the street, blockaded it and started a cheerful streetparty. A small number of riot cops was ordered to block one side of the street but were only watching as hundreds of people were dancing in the pouring rain. After almost two hours of party the crowd moved in front of Hackney Town Hall again to listen to the final speeches and then dissolved.