The past few days have seen us receive huge amounts of press coverage. It’s getting to the point where we’re being slowed down by photo shoots and interviews in every town and even on the side of busy roads.
Unfortunately, not all of the coverage has been positive. The Telegraph, The Sun and The Independent have all claimed that we’re ‘fizzling out’, that the organiser has quit, and that we aren’t doing all of the walking. This comes after a day when we battled through wind and rain on busy roads, desperately trying to reach Harrogate in time for a rally. It was definitely the first real challenge of the march.
As we got closer to Harrogate, it became clear that we might not make it in time, so some of use went on ahead in the minibus to show a presence at the rally for local supporters and the press. The rest of us continued battling along in the rain. Because of this, we’ve been accused of giving up! It just shows how the press of the establishment is determined to undermine our efforts in any way possible. It’s ridiculous! Even if some of us hadn’t walked all the way to Harrogate, it doesn’t take anything away from the issues we’re raising on the march.
Yesterday gave us a big boost in morale though, with successful demonstrations in the region in both Hull and Leeds. Around 700 people turned out in Hull to support our march, as well as the BAE manufacturing workers that are being laid off in the area. BAE Systems intends to cut 3,000 of its 40,000 UK jobs. Apparently this is necessary for BAE to "ensure its long-term future" while the futures of the estimated 5,700 directly and indirectly affected workers look bleak. It's particularly disgraceful that nearly 100 apprentices face dismissal. Youth unemployment in Hull is running at around 30%.
The £80 million cuts in public expenditure imposed on the council by the Con-Dem government have added hundreds of council workers to the dole queues. The Tories claimed that private industry would 'soak up' those made unemployed from the public sector. The truth is that the private sector on Humberside is shedding jobs, not creating them.
Read more about the BAE campaign here
In Leeds there was a good turnout for a march that was both in solidarity with the Jarrow march, as well as a response to the right wing demonstration called at the same time. To get to Leeds we had had our most scenic leg of the march yet. We walked along lovely country lanes through the Yorkshire dales which gave us a well needed rest from busy roads and cars storming past us. The down side was that we saw less people along the way but, again, it was a great boost in morale.
Today was our first rest day of the march. I can’t explain how appreciative I was of not having to be woken up by an alarm! We’ve just been recuperating in a local supporter’s house, cleaning out the minibus, and stocking up on food. Morale is high and our numbers have been boosted by new marchers joining us over the weekend. Bring on week 2!
As a mother of three teenagers whose future seems so uncertain, the eldest of whom has had her EMA cut and will also pay 9k fees, I want to say a huge 'thank you' for your efforts. What you are doing is inspiring and I wish you every success from myself and my family.
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