Maame Oforiwaa Osei-Bonsu’s account
April 7, 2011
Maame Oforiwaa Osei-Bonsu
I arrived at the Embankment tube station at 10.40am and joined the Unison group. I felt totally exhilarated as I saw all those people at the station, who have come together to support each other and to say no to the appalling cuts, which continues to have a detrimental effect on all sections of the community.
The march from my end was peaceful and continuous. We sang as we marched and talked about why we were at the march.
Our campaign was about bringing about change in policies and for the ConDem coalition to stop the cuts and listen to the people.
I also met up with a friend during the march, David Rosenberg who was there campaigning with the teachers union. We all joined up together. I needed up in his group as well.
Although I felt tired at times, I was determined to stay on the march for a while. At about 4.30pm, as we came down to Trafalgar Square, David had to leave the march and go and meet up with a friend and I decide to go home because, I was in a lot of pain, backache and I was also told that by the time we reached Marble Arch the speeches would have been finished by then.
Although I did not get to meet up with my colleagues from DPAC, I was there to show my support and to show that we are not going to be voiceless.
I would like to end here by saying that, as I a disabled Pan African woman I hope that we can continue to ensure that our campaign continues and we tell the ConDem coalition that we are here to stay to ensure that our needs are met. The civil rights movement was about change and the struggles of that change is still ongoing today. I hope that we can engage in similar struggles to bring about change.
As Liz Carr tells us that we must not allow ourselves to be divided. We must continue to ensure that we are heard, because we are a section of the community which is deemed as voiceless. Let’s continue the struggle and bring about effective change.
April 7, 2011 at 3:43 pm
I admit there has to be cuts, But many of the actions and changes by this Government are not about cuts at all. For instance. I have lived as a Council tenant for many years and never have I been in arrears or been a bad neighbour. My home now I have lived in for 16 years and it was atrocious when i first got it. I had disablied adaptations done at my own expence and put a lot of money hard work and love into this home. It has great memories for me and I have great neighbours that help me. Now I am alone in the house and this Council says they want it back. ( Cannot wait till I die ). I would be put into a ground floor flat that costs just as much if not more in rent. I would lose my beloved garden and hobbies. My carer would not be able to sleep over. I would love to have someone stay but am not allowed to. This would stop many of my benefits and push my rent up higher. On top of this. We are now menaced by the DLA. My friend received a letter 1 week after he died telling him his DLA had been suspended till he attends for a medical. Another who could not attend was told tough if you cannot attend we will stop your benefits. These jobworths are enjoying the power given to them by this Government. They are sadistic. My doctor has heard many similar stories. I have begun to get depressed. I asked for a little extra help in the form of a one off payment for help. I was rang by the DWP and given a means test exam over the phone. I was told that I could not have any help because I have not just come out of care or prison or that I am not at risk of going into care. I give up. We have no help out there. This lot just want us dead and gone out of sight our of mind. DWP Down With Pensioners. How many are close to ending this sad life.