Block the Bill – Protesters Rally To Revive NHS

NHS staff were joined last Saturday by members of the public and activists including contingents from Occupy London and Anonymous UK in a demonstration over the government’s proposed health service reforms. Around 200 people gathered outside the Department of Health building in Whitehall, where speakers addressed the crowd.

As the crowd grew, only a minimal police presence could be seen as people discussed the impending Health and Social Care bill in a subdued atmosphere. A small group then moved into the road and sat down with arms linked, blocking traffic and prompting more protesters to join in solidarity. Within minutes the majority of people who had gathered for the demo – including elderly and disabled people, as well as parents with small children – were obstructing the road, chanting defiantly as surgical hats, masks and gloves were passed around.

A proposal was then heard from the crowd of protesters for mobilisation towards the Virgin Healthcare offices. Consenting to the proposal, the crowd began to move towards Trafalgar Square, bearing placards with calls to keep the health service in the hands of the public. Two blocks ahead, officers from the Territorial Support Group emerged from a side street to block the road, forming the first of what was to be a series of loose kettles broken by protesters.

Upon reaching the busy roundabout at Trafalgar Square protesters scattered, some encountering a police unit armed with automatic weapons. These officers, thought to be from the SO6 Diplomatic Protection Group, seemingly stumbled upon the protest by chance, but still decided to leave their vehicle and patrol the area on foot, weapons in hand.

As the crowd advanced police officers made repeated attempts to prevent the procession, succeeding only in separating protesters, but failing to stop them. Eventually, after turning onto Chancery Lane, the last few protesters still advancing were kettled by police using force. One man was tripped from behind while running and another had his head smashed into a window.

Officers initially informed the kettled demonstrators they would either be arrested under a Section 12 order or could give their personal details and be escorted out – but several activists demanded clarification as to whether these were the only two options open to them. Police eventually escorted them out one-by-one, without taking information, but past Forward Intelligence Officers filming the incident.

Despite the historical importance of the government’s unmandated reforms, the small but spirited public defiance ?went totally unreported in the mainstream media, with some commentators describing it as a “blackout”.

For comment on the NHS privatisation see “Whose NHS”?