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Block the Bridge NHS Action Reports

anon@indymedia.org (imc london) | 10.10.2011 12:55 | London

Around 2500-3000 people blockaded Westminster bridge on Sun 9th October in an action to oppose the Health and Social Care bill and defend the NHS from privitisation. Called by UKuncut and supported by several Trade Unions the mass act of civil disobedience also saw an assembly to discuss the wave of occupations seen around the world and plans to occupy the London stock exchange on 15th October (more)

Further reports and pictures: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

The action started around 1pm with people blocking the bridge by lying down, many dressed as health workers. Two massive banners stretched across the bridge, one suspended from bamboo tripods reading "Save Our NHS" and "Block the Bill". 

The blockade dissolved just after 4.30pm, following which a group of around 70 people were kettled by police on Lambeth Bridge. 

During the action and the occupy london assembly many people were also talking about the student protests planned for 9th November and the strikes on 30th November. 

Other coverage:

http://www.urban75.org/blog/block-the-bridge-save-the-nhs-protest-westminster-bridge-photos/
http://storyful.com/stories/1000009328
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattietk/sets/72157627729597953/
http://entoptika.co.uk/block-the-bridge/
http://arbolioto.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupation-of-westminster-bridge-by.html

Previous NHS Features:

Jan 30th: UKuncut Shut Ox St Boots in NHS cuts action
Boots on Oxford street was shut down by protesters campaigning against cuts on Sunday 30th January. The Ukuncut protest was part of a nationwide series of around 30 actions. Hundreds of leaflets were handed out to passers by with many engaging in discussions about the cuts: "The Tories and Lib Dems are lying to us when they say these brutal cuts are based on necessity. The truth is that they are a political choice. They choose to cut vital public services and they choose to protect the interests of super-rich individuals and corporations, allowing them to dodge £25bn tax every year. The governments cuts are not 'fair', we're 'not all in this together', and there are alternatives."
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7170

Feb 27th: Save Whittington Hospital's A&E 
Thousands of protesters have gathered to march against proposals to close the accident and emergency (A&E) department at north London's Whittington Hospital. The protest was organised by the Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition. The hospital may have to merge its A&E with London's Royal Free Hospital due to NHS cutback plans. 
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/4378

March 10th: 'Day X for the NHS' Demonstration
More than 500 people followed the call to demonstrate in defense of the NHS on Wednesday 9th. They included many medical staff concerned at NHS cuts which will close hospitals and privatise the NHS by stealth. The march started at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, and ended at the St Bartholomew's Hospital in Spitafields.
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7795

May 17th: March to save the NHS
Following a call to "march for the NHS" around 1500 demonstrated on Tuesday 17th from Euston to Whitehall to protest the planned cuts for the NHS. The NHS bill currently pushed through by the Government will ultimatelly allow neoliberal capitalist thinking and its belief in the markets to dictate the type of services the NHS will provide, causing irreparable damage to it.
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/9082

May 30th: UKUncut Emergency Operation
On Saturday 28th local high street branches of different banks were transformed into hospitals in a 'UK Uncut's Emergency Operation'. Anti-cuts activists from several parts of London followed the call to "tell the government to leave our NHS alone; it's the banks that are sick"
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/9172


anon@indymedia.org (imc london)
- Original article on IMC London: http://london.indymedia.org/articles/10368