© AFP 2015/ JUSTIN TALLIS
The participants of the rally, organized by The People's Assembly Against Austerity, gathered in front of Bank of England occupying all space outside, videos published online showed.
#London the people assembly against #austerity pic.twitter.com/oFjkuhCrUD— Enrico (@erossinits) June 20, 2015The activists are holding placards saying "No Cuts," "No More Austerity," "Cut War Not Welfare," and "Get the Tories Out" among others, and shouting slogans like "Austerity hurts us all!"
Amazing atmosphere at demo against #austerity pic.twitter.com/6v2o3VZS1d — Elizabeth Silva (@ElizabethbSilva) June 20, 2015Anti-nuclear activists and union heads joined the demonstration, local media reported.
In total, 66,000 people confirmed their intention to attend the demonstration, according to the event's Facebook page.
With @wendybea at Freedom Square. No more #austerity #toriesout pic.twitter.com/BBC3FRPWtN — Morag sees (@MoragSievwright) June 20, 2015tens of thousands at #london anti-#austerity #demo must show the scale of social satisfaction with the system? #uk pic.twitter.com/Z1dsmFkuuP — Rachael Newport (@Rachael_Newport) June 20, 2015
"Austerity" is a much more fashionable term than "living within one's means", as it evokes sympathy due to connotations of privation, etc., but complaints about "austerity" per se are asinine.
The large majority of gov'ts in the world, including the UK's, have been for many years living off the illusory wealth of borrowed money and/or currency debasement. One may debate whether gov't taxation is appropriately distributed or spending is properly allocated, but it must be recognized that it is necessary to either return to the state of living within one's means (or "austerity") or experience severe economic repercussions that will make the Great Depression seem like the "good old days".