Wales activists fight to the last minute
Ben Golightly, Swansea DPAC
Cardiff
Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) Caerdydd a’r Cymoedd (Cardiff and Valleys) called a rally on 7 July in Cardiff City Centre. We asked the public to contact their MPs to ask them to vote against these cuts on 9 July.
The rally heard speakers from civil service union PCS, ‘Don’t Call Me Special’, Unite Community, and Cardiff Trades Council. DPAC members and members of the public spoke about how the cuts would affect them. Then a group of DPAC members and supporters made their way to the JobCentre on Charles Street, where they held a sit-in.
The sit-in, arranged for after the latest appointment time, lasted for over an hour, and was friendly towards staff and security. The protesters requested that the manager put out a public statement of support for disabled people, which they agreed to (but has not yet happened).
Swansea
After a three-month campaign, exhausted disability campaigners held one final rally before the vote in Swansea on 8 July.
It was a day of mixed emotions. We are proud that we have played a big part in winning major concessions from the government. But we are also very sad that it is, so far, a partial victory. We don’t want to leave behind young disabled people, or let down people who become disabled in future.
After the Swansea rally, we travelled to a nearby DWP building, intending to ask for a manager to chat to us and to deliver a letter. We had PCS trade union members, who represent DWP staff there, supporting us. This was quite possibly the politest direct action ever! However, security had already locked the doors, and management refused to talk to us or accept our letter. After the best part of an hour, police officers attended, and an officer offered to deliver the letter for us.
Despite all the stress, we are grateful to the government for one thing. The attacks have created a whole new generation of disability activists! This is not over!
London
Magda Khouloud Bouhafs
“Anybody can become disabled” said one protester outside parliament on Wednesday 9 July. Keir Starmer’s plans to cut disability benefits target some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
Dozens gathered – under intense heat, with temperatures reaching 27 degrees – at 4pm on a weekday, supported by Socialist Party members. They asserted their disappointment and anger towards these cruel cuts.
These cuts not only harm disabled people, but all of us. Nobody is safe from becoming disabled. It can happen to anyone and is not a choice that people make.
Even after the government was forced into a humiliating U-turn the week before, the bill in its current form would mean thousands of disabled people and their households will have to pay the price, being pushed into poverty and hardship.
During the protest, Jeremy Corbyn offered solidarity with everyone who is under threat from the health and disability cuts. The Socialist Party called for the trade unions to lead a fight to stop Labour’s cuts, and build a new party for the working class.
