7 things to look out for at the People’s Vote march this weekend

Brexit & Foreign Policy Left Foot Forward

From NHS workers to the Left Bloc - what to look out for on Saturday.

Saturday’s Brexit march in London is going to be huge. Hundreds of thousands will attend – with over 200 coaches booked from across the UK.

Starting at midday on Park Lane, there will be plenty to look out for…

A ‘kiss in’

At 11:15, LGBT campaigners and the public will be near the Bomber Command Memorial for a ‘kiss in’ event titled ‘Proud People’s Love.’

The organisers say: “We recognise the strength of feeling in the LGBT+ community about the effect that Brexit has and will have on the country and the community at large, this is an opportunity for our supporters to visually represent that strength of feeling.”

The line up of speakers includes Peter Kyle MP, Joanna Cherry MP, Linda Riley (owner of DIVA magazine), Seb Dance MEP, Tris Reid-Smith (editor-in-chief of Gay Star News), Kathryn Breitner (Director of LGBT+ for a People’s Vote).

A big ‘Left Bloc’

Left wing figures, climate strikers and MPs will be rallying at the start of People’s Vote protest, from 11am at Stanhope Gate.

Organised by Another Europe is Possible, speakers include Clive Lewis, Kate Osamor, Caroline Lucas, climate strikers, trade unionists and grassroots campaigners.

A rather…interesting Theresa May float

One of the most striking images from the People’s Vote March this Saturday 23rd March will be a float of Theresa May with a huge nose, organised by pro-remain grassroots organisation EU Flag Mafia.

“The message that the float is delivering is that people want to stop Brexit,” says a spokesperson for the secretive EU Flag Mafia organisation. “The caricature of the prime minister’s nose is to highlight the lies on which Brexit is based, and the dying figure represents both the UK economy and its citizens rights.”

Location: Outside Parliament, 10am on Saturday.

Some inspiring characters

Edmund Sides is refusing to take the easy way to London. Instead, he is walking to the march from Swansea, a city that also voted for Brexit. He left Swansea on 7th March.

His route is taking him through Swindon, which also voted leave, but has been hit by the news that Honda plans to shut its factory with the loss of thousands of jobs. He said: “During my walk I will be talking to people along the way, there will be plenty of time for it! If we do have a People’s Vote we need to discuss and debate the actual underlying concerns and fears of many in the country in a calm and rational manner. That’s so that everyone in the country can come together to solve these problems and move on from the divisions that Brexit has caused.”

A 96-year old World War Two veteran, Brigadier Stephen Goodall, is travelling 200 miles by train from Devon.

As their honorary commanding officer, he’ll be marching with the Veterans For EU and four generations of his family including his great-granddaughter Nahiya. He says: “I am an old man and the outcome won’t affect me – but it will affect my family and many people that I know for years to come.”

Not-the-usual-suspects

As well as big names like Justine Greening, Jess Phillips and Caroline Lucas, workers and young people will address the hundreds of thousands on Saturday.

The People’s Vote campaign that has organised the march has reserved speaking slots for NHS staff:

  • Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Chair of the British Medical Association, the trade union and professional body for all 150,000 doctors in the UK, and a GP from North London.
  • Joan Pons Laplana, a Spanish nurse from Yorkshire and until recently the British Journal of Nursings Nurse of the year.  He is one of the 3 million EU citizens living in the UK who have been left in limbo by the Brexit process.
  • Dr Rachel Clarke, palliative care doctor, best-selling author and out spoken on the impact Brexit is already having on the NHS.

And young people who have played a huge part in the success of the campaign will also have their own section in the programme. Speakers will include:

  • Gwyneth Sweatman, the President of NUS Wales, representing all Welsh students and a 28 year old For our Future’s Sake (OFOC) supporter who lives in Cardiff.
  • Amanda Chetwnyd-Cowieson, 25, the co-founder of For our Future’s Sake.
  • Rania Ramli, 20, the elected Chair of Labour Students, and supporter of For our Future’s Sake from London.
  • Femi Oluwole, 29, Chief Spokesperson for Our Future Our Choice, from Darlington.
  • Lara Spirit, 22 from Chichester, a co-founder of Our Future Our Choice.

Lots of NHS workers

A much bolder demand

Many of those present will be buoyed by the massive success of the Revoke Article 50 petition – which has received more than 2.6 million signatures in just a couple of days.

Remainers are optimistic this will be one of the biggest protests the UK has ever seen – and they’re probably right.

Got something to add? Get in touch on Twitter.

Josiah Mortimer is Editor of Left Foot Forward.

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2 Responses to “7 things to look out for at the People’s Vote march this weekend”

  1. Geraldine Roper

    I am a wheelchair user from Cambridge and a pensioner,so I will sadly not be able to come to the march. I would like to send my support and also from the many disabled all over the country who wish to have their voices heard .Best wishes for a great day

  2. Rob McAlister

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    https://www.umbrellaheaven.com/product/european-union-eu-flag-umbrella/

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