Call to Christians to join national demonstration against cuts in public spending

Thousands of people are expected to take part in the ‘March for the Alternative’ in London on March 26 and CAP is asking Christians to be a “visible presence” in the march as a way of making clear that churches are standing by the poorest people in Britain.

Organisers say the cuts are unjust and are appealing to the Government to tackle the budget deficit in a fair way.

The march begins at 12:15 on the north side of St Martin in the Fields church in Trafalgar Square and will take protesters through central London to Hyde Park.

Prior to the march, a service of commemoration will be held at the church for Archbishop Oscar Romero, who spoke up for the poor in El Salvador until his assassination in 1980.

CAP Coordinator Niall Cooper is encouraging Christians to take part.

“It is becoming clearer every day that the Government’s public spending cuts are falling unjustly on the poorest and most vulnerable people in society.

“As part of our campaign to Close the Gap between rich and poor, we’ll be marching on the 26th to tell our politicians that there is another way – a fairer way.”

The march is also being supported by the United Reformed Church, the Roman Catholic National Justice and Peace Network, the Student Christian Movement and Housing Justice.

Frank Kantor, Secretary for Church and Society at the URC, said Christians had a responsibility to stand in solidarity with people on the margins in the face of “drastic” austerity measures and policy reforms.

He said: “The march will send a clear message to the Government: there is an alternative to the cuts and it needs to be given urgent consideration.”

On the web: action.church-poverty.org.uk