London bridge shut down by domestic violence protest (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)
London’s Waterloo Bridge was shut down after a group of activists known as Sisters Uncut staged a sit-down protest in opposition to cuts to domestic violence services in the UK.
Sisters Uncut has blocked Waterloo Bridge - YOU BLOCK OUR BRIDGES WE BLOCK YOURS BACK #SistersUncutpic.twitter.com/XuWvorgzw0
— Sisters Uncut (@SistersUncut) November 20, 2016
The group were staging simultaneous demonstrations across the UK on Sunday in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Walking across the Strand - sisters, united, will never be defeated #sistersuncutpic.twitter.com/ZoPymhB2DW
— Sisters Uncut (@SistersUncut) November 20, 2016
The London protest began in Trafalgar Square where the names of women killed by a partner or ex-partner in the last year were read out.
Reading the names of the women who have been killed by a partner or ex partner in the last year #SistersUncutpic.twitter.com/PsFFCcuY77
— Sisters Uncut (@SistersUncut) November 20, 2016
Protesters then moved to Waterloo Bridge, where they stayed for an hour. Police said the busy bridge needed to be closed for 20 minutes when some of the group staged a sit-down protest.
Placards reading “Bridges to safety are a right not a privilege,” and, “You block our bridges. We block yours,” were on display.
#SistersUncut blocked Waterloo Bridge. They cut, We bleed. pic.twitter.com/XpHX3xojCT
— Amy HF (@Amy_HF) November 20, 2016
Occupied Waterloo bridge with #SistersUncut on behalf of @LittlePaperSlippic.twitter.com/P5skGpZSl7
— Jennifer McGee (@JenniferMMcGee) November 20, 2016
The group are warning that £20 million in additional funding promised by the UK government for domestic abuse services isn’t enough.
Two women are killed each week by a partner or ex-partner according to Sisters Uncut, who also say there are growing difficulties for minorities accessing the services. “Four in five Black and Minority Ethnic women who approach refuges are turned away,” according to the group. Migrants arriving in the UK do not have access to the services as they are without state support.
"You Block Our Bridges, We Block Yours!" @SistersUncut sit down protest blocking Waterloo Bridge Now!!#SistersUncutpic.twitter.com/bur1AE8JrQ
— Caroline Murphy (@_C_Murphy) November 20, 2016
PM Theresa May was “treating life-saving support like a prize to be won” after opening a bidding war for the services, they warned.
Sisters Uncut list their demands on their website, including: “No more cuts to domestic violence services,” and, “Panic rooms should not be classified as a spare room under the Bedroom Tax.”
Remembering our trans Sisters on today's Trans Day of Remembrance, and the 80% of trans folk who have experienced DV abuse #TDORpic.twitter.com/o4fk3xFXXx
— Sisters Uncut (@SistersUncut) November 20, 2016