Review of 2012

Review of the last year: 2012

protesting outside city council

Anti Cuts Network was launched when students occupiers against fees and EMA cuts (from schools, colleges and both Unis) linked up with trade unionists, & community campaigners to oppose council cuts, benefit cuts, & attacks on our communities. It has continued as a local bottom up campagin open to all.

Jan - Feb
It doesnt seem like 12 months ago since we were coordinating protests at council consultation events and lobbies outside the council against cuts. But last January and February ACN were doing just that.
While the level of cuts last year were no way near as drastic as this years proposals, and while there was little local or national coverage. We knew then what we know now, these cuts will destroy our communities, jobs, lives and must be stopped.

Mar - April
The Lib Dems brought they national conference to Gateshead and ACN called a Clegg Off counter protest from Byker, through the Universities (to link up with students protestors) and through the town centre. To meet up with TUC protest at the quayside. 200 assembled at Byker and marched through town, for perhaps the most lively and longest march in Newcastle this year. We got local press and Sky TV coverage and had a good time.

May - June
Second wave of strikes over pensions, we supported picket lines and local rally and supported a public meeting with trade unionists including RMT in support of Metro cleaners. Later in May we held with UK UNCUT a hugely successful party on the metro. 80 of us turned up and gave police and metro managers the run around, showing our solidarity with cleaners demanding a living wage

July - August
We continued our campaigning to support cleaners (delivering 10,000 leaflets to communities where tyne and wear metro councilor representatives live and organised fantastic benefit at Irish Centre raising £300 for striking cleaners (with Jesters of the end time and Aztec Bangles)

Nov- occupying council chamber against cuts

Sep- Oct
A busy Autumn orgainsed ATOS protest, Workfare protest, supporting NFEN - Education not Deportation protest at Newcastle Uni in solidarity with London Met internatinal student threatened with deportation,

Nov - Dec
Helped build the big lobby of the council cabinet, proposing £90 milion cuts (a third of council budget) and help really useful post rally open meeting to discuss and plan the way forward. Helped build march and Save Libraries campaign and were involved in occupation of first full council meeting after cuts proposed. Also ACN activists central to building libraries, play and youth campaigns and local meetings, and proposed with others a big march against cuts. At December meeting proposed with others one united Stop the Cuts, Save our Services march and uniting all campaigns.

So quite a year really. Thanks to all activists, supporters, those new to Anti Cuts Network and those who have been involved from the start.