UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1921, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT

\USTKAI.iAN AND - Z. CAHI.K ASSOCIATION- ( Nli.M CLOYED DEMONSTRATION LONDON, <fctober I. A demonstration by tli e l.ondon tinemploMil was made in thu Strand and in Trafalgar Square The police attempted to divert the demonstrators to Hyde Pari;. Ihe profession then broke up. The demonstrators made for Trafalgar Square as individuals. Then, when several ‘thousand people had gathered, speakers attempted to address the gathering. Ifowev-r. mounted police and other constables immediately cleared the square. Thereupon unemployed people rushed the cordon ol police. The police next drew their truncheons, with which they drove the demonstrators towards the steps of St. Martin’s Church. Several people were knocked down and injured. Some jiolieo were also injured owing to the throwing of giass bottles. Finally the demonstrators Aspersed. Prior to the affray in I’rafalgar Square, 7000 more unemployed marehed. in a most orderly fashion, along Piccadilly to Hyde Park They were escorted, however by a large Ihklv of police Many of tlie demonstrators were cxHcnicc men, including a number of soldiers who were decorated, and also many wounded men. There also were three sections of women who hore the marks of their obvious poverty and hunger. Several of the women were weeping. Other women were pushing their perambulators. The demonstrators created the nost profound impression on the public as they marched through the busiest and the most fashionable West End shopping centres of l.ondon. The unemployed were frequently cheered from the tops of the busses. There was u fracas in Trafalgar Square, which was due to a misunderstanding, but it only lasted for n few minutes.