Feb 2014 - my london diary

	Atos National Day of Action Triton Square, London. Wed 19 Feb 2014
	Green Party leader Natalie Bennett gives her party's support ~ There were many police around - and a white van on the corner recording all those who came to the protest 'Atos Kiss my Asperger's' The wreath 'RIP 10,600 X' for the 10,600 who died within 6 weeks of Atos assessment stopping their benefits in 11 months in 2011. Since then the DWP have refused to give answers to Freedom of Information requests asking for later statistics.
	Protesters beginn to move to where they will be visible from the busy Euston Road to release the balloons I was suprised when they were let go as Paul Peters read a poem but managed to get a picture or two as they rose rapidly into the sky A few got left tangled in the netting and had to be helped to escape It was an emotional poem; Paula has known a nember of friends who have taken their own lives because of Atos taking their benefits away. Some she was the last person they talked to before they killed themselves. We should all be angry and demand change. It looks as if Atos will go, but we need a fair system as well as people dedicated to operating it fairly rather than to maximising profit.
			February main page