TUC Demonstration and “Europe Against Austerity” Action Conference

Appeal by the Coalition of Resistance

On Saturday, 20 October the British Trades Union Congress is holding a march against austerity, “For a future that works”. Hundreds of thousands of people will take to the streets of London to oppose the cuts being forced upon them. The Coalition of Resistance will be at the heart of this demonstration with its message of “No Cuts”. The participation of delegations from across Europe will hugely strengthen the significance of what will be a massive mobilisation.

In 2011 our organisation initiated the Europe Against Austerity Conference which issued a call for joint action against austerity throughout Europe. More than 600 people attended the conference in October 2011, with 150 coming from other parts of Europe. Since that conference we have seen big struggles in Greece where there have been many days of general strike action and in Spain where the Asturian miners have inspired the support of millions throughout Europe. The nature of the onslaught on the peoples of Europe means that such actions will continue and escalate. Further solidarity work and coordination is now urgently needed.

We appeal for anti-austerity organisations throughout Europe to come to London on 20 and 21 October to participate both in the London demonstration and to meet the following day to discuss common action to turn back the tide of austerity. We must build co-ordinated action to enable victories against a common enemy. We are already receiving pledges of support for these events, from OLME and Syriza in Greece, from trade unions and anti-austerity groups in France, Belgium and Spain, and from the European Left Party Executive. Please help us build on this by joining us in London in October – to show that the strength of the European working class movement is in its unity and solidarity.