Thousands of people took to the streets of London Saturday to protest the British government's plan to cut millions of pounds from public spending.
The UK's deficit grew after the 2008 financial crisis, and these austerity measures are designed to address the nation's debt.
Social activists, union leaders and campaign groups joined forces to protest cuts in public services, welfare and education that are expected when the government unveils its budget next month. Demonstrators argue the public is being punished for a crisis it did not cause.
pic.twitter.com/htbcRaGamI— Håŷłēŷ (@Hayleyisfree) June 20, 2015
"I am fed up with all the main parties saying they are going to promote austerity," Lindsey German, a senior official of the Stop The War Coalition. "They have made the rich richer and the poor poorer and they're going to continue."
Celebrities like the singer Charlotte Church, actor Russell Brand and comedian Josie Long took to the streets in support of the protest.
"I'm here today in a show of solidarity with everyone here - it is a massive turnout - everybody who thinks that austerity isn't the only way and thinks it is essentially unethical, unfair and unnecessary," Church said, according to the Guardian.
Great group with @charlottechurch all the way from Wales. Hear her speak at end rally in Parliament #EndAusterityNow pic.twitter.com/DcUFZHUNqD— People's Assembly (@pplsassembly) June 20, 2015
Here's @JosieLong explaining the @artsemergency ethos to camera. #AEbloc #EndAusterityNow pic.twitter.com/bs8ts2CQ6V— Tiernan Douieb (@TiernanDouieb) June 20, 2015
Anti austerity march pic.twitter.com/yTaXdeqzdC— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) June 20, 2015
Streets in London have been shut down to allow demonstrators to protest.
#JuneDemo now at Whitehall, the full route has been closed now to facilitate the march. pic.twitter.com/9Tu27F8pF0— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) June 20, 2015
"It will be the start of a campaign of protest, strikes, direct action and civil disobedience up and down the country," said Sam Fairbairn of the People's Assembly, which is organizing the protests.
"We will not rest until austerity is history, our services are back in public hands and the needs of the majority are put first."
Additional reporting by the Associated Press.