Hundreds of protesters gather to demonstrate against the DUP-Tory coalition

'Women marching to say no more.' — Protesters gathered in Parliament Square last weekend to oppose the Conservative-DUP coalition, chanting for the rights of women, LGBTQ people and those whose lives were lost in Grenfell.

On Saturday, as the clock struck 12 in Parliament Square, hundreds of demonstrators clad in red gathered to make their voices heard against Prime Minister Theresa May’s planned deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – the Northern Ireland party that opposes abortion and gay marriage – which has been signed this Monday morning.

The deal, which includes a £1.5 billion funding package for Northern Ireland, will see the 10 DUP MP’s backing May in key decisions, such as those relating to Brexit negotiations and security concerns. This new union between the parties was discussed after May failed to secure a majority in the last general election, meaning the Conservatives would be unable to pass legislation without support.

The DUP is known for being extremely right-wing, with its representatives repeatedly making homophobic remarks and being strongly against Northern Irish women’s right to choice and access to safe abortions.

IMG_8793
IMG_9417
IMG_8910

“We are marching in support of the right to access abortion in NI [Northern Ireland] and against a Tory working agreement with no democratic mandate with a political group known to promote policy which restricts the rights of women and LGBT people and is known for links to far right politics.” Read the description of the Facebook event.

The protesters were clad in red as a way to represent the blood of the people whose lives were lost from being unable to access reproductive rights, as well as those who fell victim to austerity cuts, or died due to unsafe housing conditions, and those whose lives were lost as a result of the UK’s foreign policy.

IMG_9372
IMG_8817

Although the protest was originally called as a march against the then-unsigned deal, taking into consideration the Northern Irish party’s regressive policies towards women and LGBTQ people, the resulting gathering was much more a microcosm representation of the strong feelings of anger and disbelief that have been latent all over the UK ever since the results of the election were announced.

Between the hundreds of protesters, there were chants and placards demanding justice not only for the Northern Irish women without access to safe abortions and choice, but also for the residents of Grenfell and the rights of LGBTQ people. As protesters occupied the streets, surrounded by police, they chanted: “Racist, sexist, anti-gay, no DUP, no way.”

IMG_8914
IMG_9100
IMG_9260
IMG_9143
IMG_9368
IMG_9386
IMG_9142
IMG_9348
IMG_9382
IMG_8874
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


You might like

Family of 6 people, including 3 children, standing together in front of a wooden fence.
Activism

Meet the Kumeyaay, the indigenous peoples split by the US-Mexico border wall

A growing divide — In northwestern Mexico and parts of Arizona and California, the communities have faced isolation and economic struggles as physical barriers have risen in their ancestral lands. Now, elders are fighting to preserve their language and culture.

Written by: Alicia Fàbregas

A person wearing a red bandana and denim jacket, looking directly at the camera.
Activism

A new book explores Tupac’s revolutionary politics and activism

Words For My Comrades — Penned by Dean Van Nguyen, the cultural history encompasses interviews with those who knew the rapper well, while exploring his parents’ anti-capitalist influence.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Dimly lit underground carpark, long winding corridor with concrete walls, floor, and pipes above.
Activism

Youth violence’s rise is deeply concerning, but mass hysteria doesn’t help

Safe — On Knife Crime Awareness Week, writer, podcaster and youth worker Ciaran Thapar reflects on the presence of violent content online, growing awareness about the need for action, and the two decades since Saul Dibb’s Bullet Boy.

Written by: Ciaran Thapar

Black and white image showing a group of shirtless men socialising, some laughing.
Culture

A visual trip through 100 years of New York’s LGBTQ+ spaces

Queer Happened Here — A new book from historian and writer Marc Zinaman maps scores of Manhattan’s queer venues and informal meeting places, documenting the city’s long LGBTQ+ history in the process.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Red shop frontage with "Open Out" branding and appointment-only signage.
Activism

Meet the trans-led hairdressers providing London with gender-affirming trims

Open Out — Since being founded in 2011, the Hoxton salon has become a crucial space the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Hannah Bentley caught up with co-founder Greygory Vass to hear about its growth, breaking down barbering binaries, and the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Music

Jack Johnson

Letting It All Out — Jack Johnson’s latest record, Sleep Through The Static, is more powerful and thought provoking than his entire back catalogue put together. At its core, two themes stand out: war and the environment. HUCK pays a visit to Jack’s solar-powered Casa Verde, in Los Angeles, to speak about his new album, climate change, politics, family and the beauty of doing things your own way.

Written by: Tim Donnelly

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.