Anti-Atos protest raises plight of the disabled

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/anti-at ... abled.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Disabled people delivered a strong message to the government during a week-long protest against health assessment company Atos - one of the main sponsors of the Paralympic Games. Contracted by the Department for Work and Pensions to assess whether sick and disabled people qualify for benefits, Atos is responsible for taking many people off the support they rely on.


To coincide with the start of the Games last week, Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) planned a schedule of protests for everyday of the week. The week kicked off with a spoof opening ceremony, while other events included delivering a coffin full of messages from those affected by Atos's work capability assessments to their London head office, and staging a phone and Twitter jam. Culminating in a disruptive 'close Atos ceremony' outside the multinationals London headquarters on Friday several disabled protestors also stormed the Department for Work and Pensions amidst a heavy police presence.

Joining the protesters during the week, CWU national executive council member Julia Upton said: "The paralympic athletes are totally inspiring and we are, understandably, in awe of their achievements. But, I am certainly not proud of the way in which the Government's current 'cuts agenda' is impacting those who need and deserve our support and admiration.

"The aim of the 'Disabled People Against Cuts' demonstrations are to expose the hypocisy surrounding the Paralympic Games. The Government, and Atos (via their sponsorship of the games), are seeking to bask in the reflected glory of the Paralympics, at the same time as their actions, in slashing the welfare budget by £18 billion, is devastating the lives of countless sick and disabled people."

CWU activists sent messages of support and protest and got involved throughout the week.



What was said on Twitter:

@UKuncut:Watch this really informative and powerful short video from yesterday's occupation of the DWP vimeo.com/48640242

@False Economy: Protestors and police clash at DWP headquarters on day of action in London http://bit.ly/S5ArfV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

@fears31: @CWUnews I got told I am fit for work they made it up the letter they sent me did not go with the answers I gave them...

@UK Uncut: BREAKING NEWS!!! 30 activists have blocked the doors of Department for Work and Pensions and locked on! Get down to DWP NOW

@Gilby3108: @CWUnews I'm still waiting for my reassessment but for anyone else who wants to say something to ATOS here's your chance.

@OwenJones: Celebrate the Paralympics, but shame a government attacking disabled people - my piece for http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/co ... 82036.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

@False Economy: You can also protest at cuts to disability benefits & services via Pat's petition http://falseeconomy.org.uk/blog/have-yo ... tition-yet" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[POSTMAN]

on Friday several disabled protestors also stormed the Department for Work and Pensions amidst a heavy police presence.

[stokes11eg]

on Friday several disabled protestors also stormed the Department for Work and Pensions amidst a heavy police presence.

No doubt some people are not as disabled as claimed Postie--(Governments own figures suggest less than 1% are fraudulent claimants) but not all disabilities can be seen LOL! But more power their wheelchairs! Someday it could be you!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

on Friday several disabled protestors also stormed the Department for Work and Pensions amidst a heavy police presence.

It was quite a ruck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcbEtSATE_U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - a bit heavy handed in my opinion. Apparently I protester was injured and also the police did not ask them to move in the first place, an activist mate of mine who was there said this was the first police interaction they had.

[stokes11eg]

on Friday several disabled protestors also stormed the Department for Work and Pensions amidst a heavy police presence.

It was quite a ruck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcbEtSATE_U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - a bit heavy handed in my opinion. Apparently I protester was injured and also the police did not ask them to move in the first place, an activist mate of mine who was there said this was the first police interaction they had.

It's just terrible! Still find it hard to believe that the whole country is not up in arms about these savage cuts-----at one time or other, everyone will be reliant on benefits or pensions----at the rate this Government is slicing away all state aid (which we have already paid for) there will be no safety net left.

[clashcityrocker]

It was quite a ruck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcbEtSATE_U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - a bit heavy handed in my opinion.

Bloody hell.
Perhaps we should just be glad the police didn't shoot anybody.