angry crowd at haringey council meeting tonight

an angry crowd of 50 to 100 people braved the cold tonight to picket a haringey council meeting at wood green civic centre in protest at proposed cuts on public services in the area.

crowd outside civic centre tonight

placards

banners

extra security

police

the protest called on councillors to reject privatisation, reject and refuse to implement the cuts, or to resign on principle.

the protest was organised by the haringey alliance for public services (HAPS)

though small, it was attended by several haringey activist groups who made speeches during the 'open mike' session on the srpes of the civic hall. these included the 'find your voice' campaign, along with union reps from 'pcs', 'unison' and 'ucu', 'haringey federation of residents associations', 'haringey green party', 'defend council housing', 'haringey play association', and the 'haringey right to work' campaign.

10 teenage activists from the fast-growing 'save haringey's youth centres' campaign went into the council public gallery to demand an end to local youth club closures.

haringey council has already had £17 million central funding frozen or axed, and has announced it is facing cuts of £100 million over three years, with £50 million next year alone.

they have also announced their intention to privatise tottenham and wood green cemeteries and enfield crematorium.

the cuts will have devastating effects on public services and jobs, hitting the vulnerable, the young, and the voluntary sector hardest.

tonight's protest was small but noisy, and was organised and attended by several haringey activist groups.

councils throughout the country are facing similar protests outside town halls on a regular basis, and last week, a lewisham council meeting was closed down by an invasion of angry voters. (http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/11/468161.html)

Contact email: rikkiindymedia(At)gmail[dot]com