Equity joins half a million people to march against the far-right

Equity members joined over half a million people to call for hope and unity at the Together Alliance march on Saturday 28 March. More than 150 Equity members brought their voices, flags and banners to central London to stand up against the division of the far right. They were joined by fellow trade unionists from every sector and part of the UK as well as hundreds of charities, campaign groups and civil organisations and hundreds of thousands of members of the public. The crowd began in Park Lane and marched to Whitehall via Trafalgar Square in a joyous show of unity against far-right politics. 

The march was supported by actors including Christopher Eccleston, Lenny Henry, Steve Coogan, Toby Jones, Lolly Adefope and Maxine Peake - as well as long-time Equity activists and Equity members coming on their first ever demonstration. 

Equity's General Secretary Paul W Fleming galvanised the crowd with a barnstorming speech, saying:

"Ghosts and myths of blaming our neighbour are not the answer to the austerity, poverty and crisis our communities face. It's about a world that put the working class first, that speaks up for manufacturing workers, speaks up for artists and gives our movement a voice.

"The function of every trade union is to ensure that every working person can be an artist. That they're not just a number on a balance sheet, that working people have the pay, the education, the work life balance and dignity to thrive as a human being, to thrive as an artist. That's the root of Equity's motto and the reason we are here today in our hundreds - to all artists good work, to all workers good art and to all people: Equity." 

By joining together as trade union members, we can build the power needed to change the world for the better - whether it’s on marches like this, standing up for rights in your workplace as an Equity dep, opposing local arts cuts with your branch, or the many other ways to get involved. Take a look at ways to get involved in the lead up to the devolved and local elections on 7 May and if you’re a member keep an eye on your email inbox for updates on how to take action.  

Equity is in this for the long fight - we’ll see you there!