Brent Fightback Protest at Tory Conference

With the Tories digging their heels in and insisting 'there is no alternative' despite rising criticism from economists and some of their own business supporters, the TUC March for the Alternative in Manchester could not have been better timed. 35,000 trades unionists and activists turned up to insist that there was an alternative to the imposition of austerity on ordinary people while casino capitalism carries on regardless.  Brent Fightback supporters were there along with a wide range of other groups:

Scenes from Saturday's Demonstration

Top 10 Tips for Saturday's March

The TUC's top ten tips for first-time marchers – old hands may also find useful - are:

Ø Tell everyone about it! Bring along your family, friends and colleagues to share the day. Having good company along always makes for a fun day out, and spreading the word will really boost the size of the march. How many people can you bring with you?

Ø Wear comfortable shoes. The route from Embankment to Hyde Park is nearly three miles long - and if it's been raining, Hyde Park can get very muddy - so wear flat shoes, trainers or boots.

Ø Be prepared for the weather. It will be quite a long day and March weather can be unpredictable. You might need a coat, jumper, hat, gloves, umbrella -or even sunscreen and sunglasses! If you are a public servant and normally wear a uniform wear that on the day, unless that will get you into trouble!

Ø Keep hydrated. You might not always be near a shop or newsagents, so bring a bottle of water and other soft drinks to keep you refreshed. Cafes and kiosks in Hyde Park will be open as usual but with thousands expected to attend, it may be some time before you see the Park gates.

Ø Don't go hungry. Bring a packed lunch and snacks as the march and rally take place over lunch time - and if you're marching near towards the back, it may be nearer tea time before you get to the rally.

Ø Bring a rucksack. A rucksack or a bag you can wear across your body are useful for carrying things easily - and leave your hands free for flags! Don't forget to pack any inhalers or medicine you usually take.

Ø Enjoy the sights. The route will take you from the Embankment, up Whitehall and past Trafalgar Square, along Piccadilly and into Hyde Park. It's an opportunity to see London in a different way without the traffic. Don't worry about getting lost if you don't know London. It'll be very obvious where the march is going, and there will be stewards every few hundred metres to help out.

Ø Share the moment.If you have a camera, why not take some pictures of the day that you can send to your local paper? If you've a smartphone, why not share pictures and updates online as it happens? Twitter users can follow @March26March, and there's even a special phone App for the march, that you can get from the march website www.marchforthealternative.org.uk

Ø Look after other people. Treat everyone with respect and look out for anyone who needs help or assistance on the way round. If you want to help others even more, why not volunteer to be a steward?

Ø Arrive on time and know your way home. Be patient - with more than 100,000 marchers the march will be leaving the assembly point from 12noon to well after 2 pm and possibly later. If you're coming by public transport think about coming later rather than early, and try to join the march from the rear - think of tube stations like Mansion House and Southwark. If you're coming on a coach make sure you know where the pick-up point is and what time the coach will be leaving. Check your route back to underground and overground train stations from Hyde Park. Ask the police or march stewards if you're unsure.

Cavalcade Cascades Leaflets for March 26th

Brent Fightback supporters gave out between 1,000 and 2,000 leaflets today in a four hour cavalcade of cycles and cars, led by a decorated lorry through the streets of Brent accompanied by boucing balloons, cheerful car horns and a tireless PA system publicing next week's TUC March for the Alternative.  Stops were made at Harlesden Jubilee Clock, Wembley Central Square, Wembley Park ASDA, Neasden Shopping Centre, Cricklewood Broadway and Kilburn High Road.

It is always hard to leaflet busy shoppers, but those who stopped to talk were very concerned about the cuts and some spoke about already being hard up and how they would be hit really hard. They were pleased that there was a campaign and a march even if they themselves couldn't make it next week. However it was heartening to hear how many were already intending to come.

Details for March for the Alternative Next Saturday

View March for the Alternative Route in a larger map

Here are some details for the March for the Alternative next Saturday from the dedicated WEBSITE:

The March:

The march will gather on Victoria Embankment and form up between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges from 11am.

It will start moving off around noon, but because of the likely size the last marchers will not be leaving until after two, and possibly later.

People coming under their own steam from London and the South-East may therefore not want to arrive for the start as it would be better for people with long return journeys and trains to catch to be at the front of the march.

The rally:

We estimate that the march will arrive in Hyde Park shortly after 1:15pm. We will therefore start the rally around 1:30.

Because we expect large numbers we estimate that people will still be arriving in the Park at 4pm – and possibly later. We will therefore keep the rally running until around 4:30pm. Of course, not everyone who arrives early will want to stay through to the end – and indeed we hope that early arrivals will move to allow those coming later a good view.

In the Park:

In addition to the stage and giant screens in the park, there will be refreshment facilities and extra toilets. (There are good public toilets in Trafalgar Square along the route too.)

Travelling from Brent:

A reminder that if you want to go to the demo with other Brent Fightback supporters, we will be meeting on the Southbound platforms of Kilburn Jubilee line and Kilburn Park  Bakerloo line stations. Look for the Brent Fightback or Brent Trades Council banners - one will be on each station. Meet at 9.30am.