(en) Britain, Anarchist Federation - London Group - Barnet residents and supporters demonstrate against ?easycouncil?

AF members supported a lively and determined demonstration against the cuts of notorious 
?easycouncil?. Hundreds turned out, despite the winter conditions. They marched from 
Finchley Central, with widespread support from local businesses and residents, to finish 
at the library that campaigners had successfully managed to save. ---- The text of the 
leaflet ---- Make Barnet Spring Summertime Everywhere ---- Thanks to a determined fight 
against cuts to be imposed by the Tory Council in Barnet, local people have successfully 
got the sacking of Brian Coleman from the London Assembly elections and saved Friern 
Barnet library. This was done through building an effective alliance between local 
residents and activists from Occupy and others, using tactics of direct action.

The One Barnet campaign rightly sees that the privatisation being pushed through by the 
Council, the attack on the NHS, the setting up of academies and free schools, and the 
attacks on postal workers and fire stations are interlinked. There still needs to be a 
fight to stop the programme of privatisation in Barnet but campaigners in Barnet have been 
an inspiration.

Far from there being universal apathy and resignation, Barnet campaigners have shown that 
if there is a will to fight back, with a reliance on direct action, then the swingeing 
austerity programmes that are being pioneered by this government can be stopped in their 
tracks. We should also draw inspiration from the recent large turnout for the 
demonstration to save Lewisham Hospital.

We should remember that 80% of cuts planned by this government are yet to come. Despite 
this we should take a good look at what has been achieved in Barnet and attempt to 
duplicate it in every borough in Britain. We have seen that this works, both here and in 
other parts of the world. Let?s make this Barnet spring a glorious summer everywhere by 
stopping the austerity merchants in their tracks!
Anarchist Federation (London): London@afed.org.uk; http://www.afed.org.uk