Tag: freedom ride

Freedom Ride at DPAC

jen

London and South Yorkshire #FreedomRide & Sheffield DPAC Campaigners join in DPAC uk #SAVEILF action!The FreedomRide Campaigners were invited to send a speaker to a DCPAC UK /SAVE ILF picnic outside the DWP building on Friday July 4th.

Jennifer Dunstan of the FreedomRide campaign, Sheffield DPAC and South Yorkshire Unite community group  and Gareth Lane of UNITE community union, travelled down from Sheffield to attend and speak at the event with a message of solidarity from the South Yorkshire FreedomRide campaign and also to inform and update the SAVE ILF protesters of the recent developments in the FreedomRide campaign.

It was a very hot day but that didn’t put the protesters off, people were enjoying sandwiches and beautifully presented cupcakes that had been donated and were being handed out to the crowd including vegan chocolate cupcakes that Jennifer had made and donated to the picnic as they listened to speeches and songs.

The mood was congenial but also full of determination, there was a lot of support for the FreedomRide campaign and the Group were delighted to be able to see the South Yorkshire Unite Community Banner and to have it on display at their event.

There were several independent and affiliated Journalists present including Demonix, BBC, The Mirror columnists that writes the ‘Real Britain’ column and several online bloggers were putting out live streams of the speeches and songs as well as passing through the crown interviewing individual activists.

An IMPORTANT observation of this fantastically organised event to note is that the DPAC group had organised a BSL SIGNER to stand next to speakers and translate to deaf or none speaking activists.

The fact that there was a SIGNER there made the event much more accessible and also increased *attendance* this meant that the words of the speakers were much more far-reaching.  Which not only lends power to the campaign but also to the people that are directly affected by these austerity cuts!

Jennifer’s talk about the FreedomRide Campaign was streamed live online and was well received, the SAVE ILF campaigners were really proud of the actions and demos held so far and sent many of messages of solidarity through Jen back to the Campaign.  At the end of the picnic the SAVE the ILF campaigners joined in with the FreedomRide song ‘FREEDOM TO RIDE’ which was absolutely fantastic!

The protesters then packed up and marched to Westminster, with their banners and placards accompanied by the South Yorkshire UNITE community banner.

They then promptly and with confidence and determination, marched, wheeled and skipped in coordination on to Victoria Street and completely blocked it off,chanting “SAVE THE ILF” over and over and with vigour!

The blockade was well executed, it was colourful, vibrant and well supported by the many and varied DPAC and SAVE ILF placards banners t shirts and art work.

There are many articles, pics and vids  online including this one… where you can see the FreedomRide campaigners chanting in unison with the protesters it really was a fabulous display of joint campaign solidarity, although the action was very much the product of the SAVE ILF campaign, it was wonderful to see these separate anti cuts campaigns joining in active protest and we sincerely hope that there will be more and widespread networked and coordinated anti austerity actions throughout the counties especially from major cities, it really is time overdue that the Government sit up and listen to the people that their decisions are damaging.

The police soon arrived at the Victoria Street site in their dozens, two inspectors, many sergeants and PCs attended, there were 6 riot vans that parked up strategically and the gates and fences of westminster abbey were heavily guarded, not to mention the branch of Barclays bank much to everyone’s puzzlement.

At last count before the South Yorkshire reps left, the were over 4 police officers to each DPAC/SAVE ILF campaigners.

To our knowledge there were no arrests although there was a failed attempt by police to remove the blockade with a false report of an ambulance approaching the site and needing access to pass through Victoria Street.  Please note that the protesters did move aside diligently and with the utmost respect for the report of the impending ambulance pathway but however it turned out to be a police tactic to disrupt the blockade.  As soon as it became apparent that there was indeed no Ambulance approaching, the protesters took up their positions in the road and continued to campaign.

The police manouvered into positions which seemed to be a an attempt to create a kettle formation and also verbally informed to protesters that they would be starting to make arrests if they didn’t disband the blockade.

The protesters made a collective decision on a time to close the action and when they finished they cheered and blew whistles in victorious celebration.

There has been lots of disgruntled drivers but also plenty of support from passers by and people tooting horns and giving thumbs up in support as the police redirected traffic.  Some passers by joined and physically stood with the blockade, even shaking hands and posing for photos in support.

There was so much online coverage but one particularly poignant tweet from @SophEpartridge really sums up the importance of protecting the ILF:

“If you were told your independent life was going to be cut and you may go 2 a nursing home, you’d stop traffic”.

We met and chatted to many protesters who had all benefited greatly from the ILF including one campaigner called “Matt” who told us he had just completed his masters degree in film, it had taken him 7 years and without the ILF he would never have been able to access the course let alone complete it.  This campaign isn’t just a out money it’s about access to a right of a decent standard of living, of lifting barriers to independent living and of society supporting people where their individual needs or ability prevent to access to work, education, other essential services and even communication with other members of society.

For more information on the campaigns go to :

dpac.uk.net
gmdp.com
pcs.org.uk/savetheilf
inclusionlondon.co.uk
blacktriangle.com/ILFpostcard
#saveILF
#FreedomRide
Justice for Tony & George
Flicker link to photos excellently documenting the day.

Sheffield reporter threatened with arrest under anti-terrorism laws

James Mitchinson
Sheffield Star editor James Mitchinson said what happened to the reporter was absolutely unacceptable and the paper would be seeking an explanation

A reporter was threatened with arrest under anti-terrorism laws and forced to erase potentially important video evidence after filming a protest in Sheffield.

The editor of the Sheffield Star has demanded an explanation as to why his reporter, Alex Evans, was warned off filming a protest against cuts to free travel provision for pensioners and disabled people by British transport police officers on Monday.

Evans claims he was ordered to erase footage he’d recorded on his phone because he did not have permission to film on private property inside Sheffield station. When he initially resisted the request and continued to film, he says he was told he could be arrested under terror laws.

Shortly after he stopped filming, British transport police officers handcuffing and bundling away two men. The arrested men, aged 64 and 65, were taking part in the Freedom Ride, a long-running protest against cuts to free travel provision in South Yorkshire.

Evans claims he was ordered to erase footage he’d recorded on his phone because he did not have permission to film on private property inside Sheffield station. When he initially resisted the request and continued to film, he says he was told he could be arrested under terror laws.

James Mitchinson, editor of the Star, said on Tuesday: “What happened to our reporter Alex Evans yesterday was absolutely unacceptable and we will be seeking a full explanation of why he was treated in such a heavy-handed, threatening manner. To cite anti-terror laws is clearly nonsense. We have a right to report the news, and the Star will always fight for that right. Our readers expect nothing less.

“But this case illustrates just how difficult it can be to report the news, on the spot when, increasingly, authorities are seeking to ‘manage’ it.

“We’re well aware that Sheffield Station is, like all stations, technically private property, and ordinarily we’d need to seek permission to film there. But this wasn’t a PR stunt, it was an extraordinary event that couldn’t have been predicted and it was very much in the public interest that people were made aware of what was going on. As the local paper and website that’s our job, and it’s a job that people expect us to do.”

Evans claims British transport police told him the officer who asked him to delete his footage was part of Northern Rail’s rail response team. Northern Rail said it was trying to establish who made the request.

Though the reporter was prevented from filming the scuffles, members of the public managed to capture the arrests on their own phones.

The “rough” manner of the arrests have been criticised by organisers of the Freedom Ride demonstrations, which involve large groups of protesters all attempting to board the same train without buying a ticket.

Jen Dunstan, of Sheffield Disabled People Against the Cuts, told the Star: “Dozens of elderly and disabled people have been left with bruising. Some have cuts where their skin has broken from being pushed and shoved.

“A placid and calm gentleman was roughly manhandled. I am angry and shocked. The police are meant to protect elderly people.”

Northern Rail said in a statement: “Members of the media must have written permission from the train operator which manages the station before undertaking any filming on station property. Under no circumstances are Northern Rail employees to be filmed without prior agreement from the Northern Rail press office.”

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “We were called upon to assist rail staff dealing with issues relating to an ongoing protest.

“As a result two people were arrested – on suspicion of travel fraud and obstructing a police officer – and the investigation into these alleged offences is ongoing.

“A number of separate incidents arising from these arrests, and involving police, have been brought to our attention. We are in the process of fully investigating these and will speak to all those involved.”

George Arthur, aged 64, and Tony Nuttall, 65, have been charged with failure to pay and obstructing police.

This story originally appeared in the Guardian.

Organise To Win! Freedom Ride: Standing up against the Cuts

frredom

The Campaign to save free travel for the disabled and pensioners in South Yorkshire now known as the Freedom Rides has been inspirational and it has already won a partial victory! Something to be celebrated for sure! But how did the campaign win this amazing concession?

On 31st March, elderly and disabled travel pass holders lost the extra concessions that had applied in South Yorkshire since travel passes had been brought in nationally. South Yorkshire agreed, like a number of other authorities, to give extra concessions because of the poverty that many elderly and disabled suffer in this region. That meant that disabled pass holders could travel free on buses and South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire buses free at any time of the day; elderly were able to travel free on buses and trains from 9am through to the end of the day.

On 6th February South Yorkshire Transport Authority voted to scrap free train travel for all disabled people and pensioners. The savings were £329,000 for ending train travel and £300,000 for restricting bus travel times. There are over 268,000 travel pass holders in South Yorkshire. The body making the decision, South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority, was made up of 12 councillors from across the region. The five councillors from Sheffield and the two from Barnsley, all voted for the cut while three from Doncaster and two from Rotherham voted to keep the concessions.

What caused great anger among those affected was that there was no publicity or consultation. It was the complete lack of debate and democracy that was too much for people to stomach.

But the Barnsley Retirees Action Group had other ideas and spear headed an amazing campaign of direct action that has inspired campaigners everywhere. They printed a few thousand leaflets calling a public meeting in the central library. 300 people turned up and the caretaker turned away another 50. The meeting grilled the two Barnsley councillors who voted for cuts and the Director of SYITA. It was agreed to start weekly Freedom Rides which saw people boarding trains and refusing to pay for travel then holding rallies where they would meet other “freedom riders” from Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

The numbers involved in the freedom ride were inspiring, with over one hundred people taking part each week and the protest seemed to be growing as time went on, winning support from the Trade Union Movement including ASLEF, RMT,BFAWU and Unite, who’s officers took part in the protests and spoke at rallies.

The first three weeks of the freedom ride went off without incident even though there was a large police and security guard presence at Barnsley train station in the first week. Protesters thought they were going to be stopped but were told by the police, “We are here to look after your safety,” and were almost escorted onto the train. On weeks two and three there were no police around and the numbers travelling swelled. On week four police blocked entry to the Sheffield bound platform. After a long period of argument the police and Northern Rail management said that everyone could get on the train, “But this is the last time, next week you have to pay.” Week five found Barnsley station swarming with police and everyone forcibly barred from getting on to the platform. Protestors sang songs based on US Civil Rights songs updated. The singing and chanting rocked the station but did not move the police.

The protestors began to cross the railway bridge to go over to the north bound platform where a train arrived carrying protestors from Sheffield. Everyone boarded that train while the police were still blockading the other platform. As the train set off everyone waved at the police who looked very confused! The TV and other media had been contacted to say that it was likely that there would be a confrontation at the station. They turned up and gave great coverage to the day’s events.

Week six found even more turning up to ride but a massive police operation. It was impossible to get to the ticket office without a ticket. The bus interchange bridge was blocked by police. The media had been warned by protestors that there was likely to be an escalation on both sides and they came along hoping for good footage. The large numbers of protestors provided that. A lively rally was held during which the national chair of ASLEF retired members section presented BRAG with a cheque for £50.

Like all other meetings the rally was extremely democratic. Everyone who wanted to was able to speak. Ideas and proposals were voted on. This rally decided to set off on a march around Barnsley. As the demonstration set off protestors from Sheffield arrived on a train and were able to pass through the police and join the march. The massive crowd went up to Barnsley Town Hall, where for some time there were chants against the cuts and calling for the councillors who made the cuts to come out – they didn’t!

The demonstration went into the town centre for a public rally and sing song and chanting then back to the interchange, through the bus station and over the interchange bridge until stopped by a wall of police. After more chanting everyone dispersed.

A huge letter writing campaign also was underway with people complaining to local councillors and MP’s who at first were reluctant to become involved but the large protests and accompanying media coverage helped force the hand of the local politicians, who I am sure were concerned about what effect this would have on the up-coming elections.
Members of the public and Unite’s Community Branch were becoming more involved, not just with the protests but also behind the scenes applying pressure on local councillors and asking difficult questions at Labour party meetings. That combined with the Sheffield Citizens Advice Bureau’s legal Challenge helped create a massive amount of pressure which has resulted in a partial victory, meaning free travel on local trains for disabled people and their carers is to be re-instated on June 8th, along with half price train travel in South Yorkshire for OAP’s.

On the Monday of the seventh week even more people turned up, pleased that a partial victory had been won but angry that the original concessions were not restored in full. Disabled campaigners who had been central in the protests turned up to say they were willing to support any future protest for elderly travellers to win back the original concessions.

The Freedom Riders are planning a victory parade through town on Saturday the 17th of May and will be holding a vote (show of hands), on whether or not to continue with the protest in light of this announcement. Whatever the protesters decide to do on the 17th, their action has been inspirational and shows that a combination of direct action, political pressure and legal challenge can win! How many times are we told that “nothing changes” “you can’t win”? We now can prove that is wrong, “if you fight you may lose, if you don’t fight you have lost already” (Bob Crow).

Media Links
Sheffield Star
We Are Barnsley
Barnsley Chronicle
Morning Star
Yorkshire Post
Aslef

Sheffield Star
Sheffield Star

Freedom Ride 5

Five Weeks ago free travel passes were taken away from pensioners and disabled people in Barnsley, this means that thousands of the most vulnerable people in our communities are now finding it even harder to get out of their homes.

In response pensioners groups, disabled groups and trade unionists have staged five ‘Freedom Rides’, were people board the train and refuse to pay. This week a heavy police presence meant we could not board our usual train to Sheffield, so we cleverly crossed over the bridge and instead traveled to Penistone to stage our rally.

Fantastic support from ASLEF Unite Community and the Bakers Union shows our protest is gaining even more support!!! United We Bargain Divided We Beg!

freedom 2 freedom1 photo 3