Grenfell Tower protest 19.07.2017.

Protests for Grenfell tower 19th July 2017, 18:00h to 20:00h

Kensington and Chelsey Town Hall, London

Examining the Citizen Action

I got there about 10 minutes before 6PM. A crowd of a couple of hundred people had already gathered. Before I even joined the protest I was approached by two different groups: Socialist Party and Socialist Worker. I bought a newspaper from both groups, costing £1 each. I will write a separate blog on the comparison between the two, plus another newspaper that I also purchased at the protest, also £1, this one by Revolutionary Communist. In this blog, I want to talk about just the protest. 

The official programme started as promised at 6PM. We were told that the council will meet to talk about Grenfell Tower at 6:30PM. 

Various Trade Union leaders gave a speech and the crowd showed particular support to: ‘No Justice, No Peace’ and ‘Social Murder’. Other popular ideas included the rights and standard of living of the working class and government cuts.

Before too long, the programme was interrupted by voices from another group, gathered only meters away, same message, but different style – I’d say that the second group was a little bit more aggressive in their tone. The groups were clearly divided. On my observation, I’d say the second group was less organised; however, initially it seemed to have more supporters. The second group, as I will learn from the people, wanted an open mic and they had rappers, who wore masks.

The second group seemed to dissolve, while the first group continued with their programme. It seemed to be related to ‘survivors’ going into the Town Hall for the meeting. While I stood observing this movement, I was approached by woman representing Movement for Justice. No newspaper, but a little, free leaflet with basic information – will do a blog on the leaflets as well. It took some time for the whole second group to move and join the first group, but they eventually did, even the rappers performed at the first group’s mic. I couldn’t say with any certainty, but this move might have had something to do with media presence. From the very beginning, cameras were just everywhere. However, I doubt that anyone in that crowd did not spot the presence of Jon Snow from Channel 4 News. I didn’t see that Mr Snow paid much attention to the second group, I’d say he was quite clear on who he wanted to speak to and it was the first group. From what I had observed, I’d say the first group were the official organisers, while the second group kind of high jacked the meeting – I might be wrong, but this is how it seemed to me, and I was very pleased when the groups merged. 

The meeting in the Town Hall started and a big screen for live transmission was already in place in the square. Initially, the voices of the people at the protest and those at the Town Hall were merged and interfering with one another, and the group had once again been split – one part went to listen to the transmission of the Town Hall meeting, while the other remained listening to the ‘protestor’s mic’, which had gained a characteristics of ‘venting’, something I believe is vital when it comes to issues like the Grenfell Tower. 

The messages from the meeting in Town Hall were clear: Change is a must. Crowds unreservedly cheered the speaker in the Town Hall meeting. Messages he brought forward included: Divide between the rich and the poor must be worked on; does this council know what it is doing; new leader, old regime cannot bring changes; are the survivors being heard; we must change the way this borough operates; and, for me the most surprising message: Population of the borough is falling, we are exporting the poor to other boroughs, this ‘social cleansing’ must stop. 

Contrary to the wish of the people, Elizabeth was re-elected as the ‘leader of the council’. People were not pleased. However, if she keeps 50% of what she promised in her speech, I think people might get over it. First, I’d like to say that from my point of view, looking at her speech, she knew, without a doubt, that she’ll be re-elected – the speech was exceptionally prepared, but even more than that, she was prepared. 

She made it very clear that she was speaking to the people. In her speech, she asked for a chance. I remember watching her, trying to figure out if I admire her or detest her – her ‘lust for challenge’ is something great and we don’t get to see it very often, on the other hand her determination to remain in power was quite pathetic. She promised that there will be no if’s or but’s; survivors will get practical and personal support; demands of the people will be heard (I thought this was quite ironic coming from a woman that people clearly rejected, but let’s see); she will not hold back spending the reserves of the borough (which are, it seems, not all that great, since she will need the support of great many people and it will take at least five years); nothing will be built on the site of the Tower without the consent of the survivors; the culture of the borough will change “…so that you are also residents” – what kind of culture is currently present in the borough when there is a need for a change so that residents become residents? Over all, I’d say the main point she tried to bring across was that the borough will be less pompous and more inclusive – suddenly, five years is nowhere near enough time to bring this kind of change, but I wish her all the best and would certainly love to help in any way I can. She recognised the work of the community groups that ‘went above and beyond’, she spoke about working with the people, nurturing links, and she said ‘if you have humanity, you deserve respect’ – for me, this meant that many of the rich in the borough will lose respect now, but I doubt she meant that. 

In short, or in summary: 

1. Organisers need to do more on working together. I know this is a great challenge, but trust me, many are accomplishing it in much harder circumstances, so I believe you can accomplish it also. 

2. Organisers need to prioritise the needs of the ‘problem’ – I’ve seen big gatherings fall apart because the messages were mixed. ‘Grenfell Tower Disaster’ is the main message. Everything connected to that is priority. Since every gathering is different, there isn’t much that I can say in terms of advice for the future, you have to think about it yourself. But, yesterday, I think it would have been much better if both groups worked together, if there was an open mic (moderated: a volunteer or two collecting names of those who wish to speak, limiting time each person gets, and cutting off those who go off topic or speak for too long), if the programme was organised so that it took into account the meeting taking place at the Town Hall, and if there were not quite so many movements officially advertising themselves – I know unofficially cannot be prevented, but there is a big difference between official and unofficial advertisement at a protest. 

3. Politicians and various representatives of the people need to accept that social issues are not a means for a war between parties. Social issues need solutions not a war of wits between leaders of different persuasions. Lie I told one of the protestors: Elizabeth has been re-elected, that’s something we have to accept. If anyone told you it would be easy, they lied. Get over it! That is a fact for now. People can sense sincerity. Your devotion should be to the solution not to your party or some other belief. If, despite you honest and unadulterated sincerity you find that a solution can not be reached with the current set up, then you will find much greater support for changing the ‘set up’. In fact, I’ve found that common denominator in social movements across Britain is ‘sincerity’. People are longing for it. I.e. when it comes to this idea of common denominator, I will write more about it. It is just an idea at this time, but research so far shows that it might help greatly. 

4. The media and their role cannot be ignored. Yes, we have social media. Yes, we can spread our messages now better than ever. Yes, very often we find that information we get through unofficial media outlets is clearer and truer than the official media, but the presence of Jon Snow left an impact. The number of gatherings I have attended where one such person can just bring a new light into the meeting without saying a word makes me believe that the media must do more to recognise their role. 

5. Working with people! People working with people! Politicians understanding that they are people. People understanding that politicians are people… That’s what democracy is all about. We’ve become too busy, too annoyed, too this, too that to work with people. In some countries, Voluntary Sector is known as the Civil Society Sector (not that I support one name more than the other, but all the names combined help us further our understanding of the sector) which means that it is about the people. I do know what the sector is a ‘loose and baggy monster’, but I also know that we, the people, created it and therefore we must be able to understand it – it is OUR creation! It didn’t fall from the sky. I appreciate that many are looking for solutions in changing the system, I think we already have a good system, we just need to figure out a way to make all the elements work better. 

In the end, I wish the survivors all the best. I do know something about losing everything, even after escaping a war, struggling to build a new life, making a step forward, and then being take right back to zero. It is horrific. But, you will rebuild your life, rest assured that you will. The pain and fear you are facing now, will pass; I’m not saying you will forget it, you won’t, but going through that will make you stronger, you will find that you don’t scare quite so easily, and that will help you take bigger steps in life, some that you will cherish and some that you will regret. Isn’t that what life is all about? Your job now is to stay calm through this storm. Keep a clear head, or as clear as you can manage. 

And thanks to the police officers at the protest. Again a group that just cannot be ignored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeOKCzZix3E&feature=youtu.be&ac=