Above Photo: Protesters hold signs calling for justice for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. Photograph: Teri Pengilley for the Guardian
Note: These protests will continue and grow over the next two weeks as the Conservatives try to show they have the votes to govern. Theresa May’s Queen’s Speech will only enrage voters more as she did not address economic inequality, austerity or greater taxes on the wealthy. In one week there will be votes in Parliament to see if May has enough support. She may squeak by with the support of an extreme, right wing religious party in Ireland even though they have not made an agreement with the Conservatives to support them. The May government, if it survives this stage, will always be living on a shoestring with Corbyn’s Labor Party ready to another election and ready to take control. The protest of the corporate manslaughter of Grenfell Towers just adds to the anger and points once again to the failed governance of the Tories. Adding to that negotiating the Brexit is high risk for divisions among Conservatives and could take the government down more quickly than expected. The Tories took the unusual step of creating a two year Parliament, rather than the usual one-year but it is unclear whether May will survive that long.
The march – on London’s hottest day of the year – was one of a number of “day of rage” protests to coincide with the state opening of parliament. The demonstrators demanded that the displaced residents of Grenfell Tower are rehoused locally, and want full amnesty and permanent UK residency for those without immigration papers.
The marchers also demanded the publication of all records of the companies involved with the tower and their dealings with Kensington and Chelsea council. There were around 500 people on the march, police said.
The march, which was organised by Movement for Justice By Any Means Necessary (MFJ), set off for Downing Street as the prime minister set out her legislative programme for the next two years.
Protesters brandishing placards chanted: “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now”, “Justice for Grenfell”, and, “Theresa May has got to go.”
They eventually gathered outside Downing Street, where two smoke flares were set off. And despite fears that violent opportunists might hijack the protest the crowd remained peaceful and slowly began to disband, with half making their way towards the Palace of Westminster.
A male protester was later pinned to the floor by police following what appeared to be a skirmish with officers, the Press Asssociation reported. As he was being carried away he repeatedly shouted he was a “peaceful” protester.
Another skirmish with police resulted in a man being led away in handcuffs. The suspect was seen shouting at the crowd of protesters and was then taken aside by officers. It was unclear if he had been involved in the day of action.
Shaima Alsitrawi, a 32-year-old childcare worker, explained why she was marching. “A few days ago I went to the site of Grenfell with my friends to help volunteer, and when I saw the building in front of me, looking dark and burnt, it really hit me.
“Speaking to people there about their experience and their story, it was horrific. They are part of the community, part of us, we have a responsibility to raise our voice for justice and equality in society. They haven’t been treated as equal as the rest of the community in that borough.”
Pip Marsh, 44, who works for a research company, dismissed criticism of the protest from sections of the media. “Nearly every person I speak to is furious to the point of apoplexy. The rightwing press’s modus operandi is to debunk protests. It’s a Tory tool. If you get people frightened enough you can get them to do anything. Every single person I’ve spoken to here is lovely.
“It doesn’t matter about my class or race. Nobody apart from the top 5% has a voice. No one listens to us.”
Kelcy Davenport, a PhD student, agreed. “They take the word ‘rage’, which is justified, and try and intimidate you away from those feelings by saying it’s going to be violent,” she said. “It’s like saying you’re not allowed to be angry or outraged. I’m an activist and I’ve been to many protests but I still felt intimidated after reading the papers today.”
Referencing the Grenfell Tower fire and “brutal austerity, cuts and anti-immigrant attacks”, the description on the MFJ event page read: “Politicians and many community and religious leaders will be looking to divert our rage and fury into inquiries, investigations, reports, court hearings, and parliamentary processes.
“We will not accept those brush-offs and diversions, we will not settle for less than the destruction of May’s coalition of austerity and bigotry – we must bring down this government.”
Those attending the march had been urged in advance to keep their activities peaceful. The Clement James Centre, which has been helping Grenfell Tower residents, said: “There has been a ‘day of rage’ announced for Wednesday, trying to bring London to a standstill.
“We cannot emphasise enough how against this many of the affected residents we’ve spoken to are and they do not want their grief hijacked for any violent or destructive means.”
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