On Wednesday 26 March, hundreds of chronically ill, disabled, and neurodivergent people, those living with mental health issues, and their allies will gather outside 10 Downing Street from 11am. It will be in protest at the Labour Party government’s proposed £5bn cuts to people’s social security. It comes after decades of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)-led abuse of benefit claimants – and this time, those affected are promising not to go quietly. They’re going to be raising their voices both in person and online – and the Canary will be amplifying them. However, we want our readers to get involved too.
Balls to the DWP – and the Spring Statement
Supporters of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) will be saying ‘balls to the Spring Statement’ – making sure Keir Starmer’s government knows that they will not quietly accept these DWP-led attacks on their most fundamental rights:
After speeches and direct action at Downing Street, protesters will be making their way to parliament – and they’ll be ensuring that the politicians sitting inside know they’re there, too. As is always the case with DPAC, there will be some surprises on the day. So, come prepared for action.
Stop the War are helpfully supporting this action directly, with the help of a stage and PA system. Other groups such as Black Lives Matter UK, London Renters Union, WinVisible, and more have also come out in solidarity.
Away from London, local DPAC groups alongside new campaign group Crips Against Cuts are having actions across Great Britain and the North of Ireland. You can find all the details here.
However, if people cannot make the protests in person then DPAC and its allies are calling on them to get involved online.
What is independent media good for?
The Canary, one of the UK’s longest-established online independent media outlets, has given its support and labor to DPAC on the day.
The team will be livestreaming the entire event via its TikTok – @thecanaryuk – to ensure that any chronically ill, disabled, and neurodivergent people, and those living with mental health issues, who cannot physically attend get to experience the protest as best as possible. The Canary will also be using its Instagram to release videos and images form the rally in real time. Plus, over on its X account we will be bringing you all the updates from both the protest and chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Spring Statement as they happen.
As an independent media outlet, the Canary has never sat on the fence. Nor have we hidden the fact that everything we do is in support of, and solidarity with, those that the system marginalises. Therefore, it would seem natural for us to lend our support and labor to DPAC. We believe that it is the duty of every independent media outlet which has any moral fibre to be doing this.
We have always been a team of activists first, journalists second – which is reflected in our work. Now, we want to expand on our near-10 year legacy of campaigning journalism – by actively campaigning by the side of marginalised groups like chronically ill, disabled, and neurodivergent people, and those living with mental health issues.
The Canary believes this should be a core function of independent media. It is no longer enough to report on what the state and the system are doing to the very people they marginalise. Independent media should be actively fighting back with those impacted – and we don’t just mean reporting on protests. We mean boots-on-the-ground action. Getting your hands dirty, if you like.
We’d urge our readers to get involved too.
Fight back against the DWP – in person and online
If you can, be at Downing Street at 11am and be prepared to make some noise.
If you can’t make it in person, get involved online using #WelfareNotWarfare. We are determined to drown out politicians’ propaganda on the day. So, share your experiences of the DWP, your thoughts on Labour’s planned social security cuts, tag your MP telling them to oppose the DWP plans, and repost all the protest content, using the hashtag:
The Canary and DPAC want to ensure #WelfareNotWarfare is trending and that as many people – including the corporate media – see the level of opposition there is to Labour’s callous cuts.
We need to stop the Labour government in its tracks over these vicious cuts to chronically ill, disabled, and neurodivergent people, and those living with mental health issues’ social security. But we can’t do it without your solidarity and support. So, please join us on the day in any way you can.
Let’s rise up and say ‘balls to the Spring Statement’ together.
Featured image via the Canary
