South Tyneside council wants to charge young, unemployed people £2,500 to re-enact the Jarrow March 75 years on.
Paul Callanan, Youth Fight for Jobs national organiser says: “This is an outrage. South Tyneside council, which has the original Jarrow March banner and petition on proud display, is demanding that young, mainly unemployed people, pay £2,500 to re-enact the march. What the council is essentially trying to do is put a price on democracy.
“YFJ has organised many protests and demonstrations and this is the first time a council has demanded money for road closure.
“This comes just over a month after the inner cities were rocked by a wave of youth riots. You would think that the council would take a more sympathetic stance towards young people wanting to peacefully march for a future.
“This is a threat to the right to protest for all working class and young people. I have been told that I am personally liable for this fee.
“Whatever happens, Youth Fight for Jobs will be marching from Jarrow this Saturday, with huge support from local people and trade unions. We will campaign against any attempt to charge us for doing so.”
YFJ urges people to register their complaints with the council at [email protected] or see the council’s complaints page http://www.southtyneside.info/applications/2/corporatefeedback/default.aspx?formtype=complaint or phone 0845 1450 100
For more info contact [email protected], call 020 8558 7047 or 07713 355616
Log on www.youthfightforjobs.com or jarrowmarch11.com
