Hardest Hit October Rally 22nd October 2011

Take action this October
Following our protest in May, when an estimated 8,000 people marched on Parliament, further events are taking place across the UK this month. These events are designed to raise awareness amongst the general public, the media and politicians of our key messages.  Click here to find your nearest event.
Regardless of whether or not you are able to attend one of the events taking place on October 22, 2011, there are still lots of ways you can get involved to support this campaign. We need your help to really make an impact. It won’t take much time out of your day, but it will make a massive difference to the success of our campaign.
You can:
1. Write to your MP and invite them to attend their local event. We want as many MPs to know what’s about the campaign as possible.
2. Lobby your MP in the week leading up to the event by attending a constituency surgery or writing to your MP, you can help make sure that they are aware of our campaign and the arguments against welfare reform.
3. Write to the editor of your local newspaper. By doing this, you are helping us advertise the events and making sure that as many people as possible know they are happening.
4. Send a Press Release to your local paper, not only will you be sharing your concerns about Government cuts but making sure that as many people as possible know the event is happening.
5. Be a case study. Your story is the most important. Tell decision makers and the media why you support this campaign and help us show the human face of welfare reform.
Events taking place on October 22

London
Saturday 22 October, 2011
Rally 11am – 1pm
Outside the GLA Building (City Hall), Queen’s Walk
Disabled people in London, along with their families and friends, are taking to the streets in London to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services.  Join us and help to make sure all our voices are heard.
The rally is taking place outside London’s iconic GLA building (City Hall) on Queen’s Walk.  Dartford band Rush Hour will keep us entertained from 11.00, with speeches from 11.45, plus there will be the opportunity for you to make your voice heard.
We plan to have a range of speakers who will keep us informed and entertained.  Confirmed so far is Chair of Inclusion London, Kirsten Hearn, Cllr Darren Johnson AM, and Jennette Arnold AM for North East London and Chair of the London Assembly.  We also have a statement from John Biggs AM for City and East who sadly can’t join us.
There will also be the chance to hear the experiences of local people talking about what the proposed cuts to benefits and services will mean to them as disabled people trying to live independent and fulfilling lives.  If you would like to be one of those having your voice heard there will be a chance on the day for you to tell us what the changes mean to you.
For a detailed map of the area, including public transport links click here.  The nearest tube is London Bridge which is served by the Jubilee and Northern lines.  If you would like help in planning your journey then the Transport for London website has a journey planner that covers all public transport options: http://www.journeyplanner.org/.  Details about the accessibility of different types of public transport can be found here.  There are limited opportunities for parking in central London.  For details of where to park and how the blue badge scheme operates in Westminster click here.
This gives advice on the different parking regulations in force and has a link to the Blue Badge London website that has a searchable list of the parking available.
As new speakers and contributors are confirmed we will be adding them to this page, so do keep an eye out for any changes.  Please also help us spread the word about Hardest Hit.  London is one of many cities across the South East that have been severely affected by budget cuts.  Across the region people are seeing deep cuts in services such as social care and transport, which they rely on to remain independent.  Please come along, and bring as many friends and family as you can.  Help us to send a clear message to the Government: stop these cuts.
To register your interest in the rally please email: london@hardesthit.org.uk or call 020 8522 7433

Several ADKC members and staff will be going on this rally - if you want to attend but want to meet up with ADKC members, let us know and we will arrange a meeting place