May Day 2018 rally UK: Hundreds of anti-austerity campaigners set to descend on London in day of global protest

Demonstrators attend a May Day march in central London, 2017
REUTERS
Chloe Chaplain1 May 2018

Hundreds of anti-austerity campaigners will descend on the streets of London in protest over Brexit, the Grenfell Tower fire and the Windrush scandal as part of an annual May Day rally.

The event will coincide with a series of strikes around the country – including one by McDonald’s workers over working conditions and pay.

It is part of a global International Workers’ Day in support of employees' rights, human rights and against capitalism, with protests planned across the globe.

Campaigners in the capital will march from Clerkenwell Green to Trafalgar Square.

Protesters will be joined in central London by a series of speakers from British trade unions.

Demonstration: Thousands march to Trafalgar Square to celebrate workers' achievements in 2017
Anthony Devlin/PA

Organisers said that this year’s event will be focussing on racism in society, following recent events surrounding the Windrush scandal and immigration.

The event will also consider how to protect the rights of workers following Brexit.

They have also stated that they will be campaigning over issues related to social housing and healthcare.

John McDonnell speaks at a May Day rally in Trafalgar Square

“We have seen what unfettered private greed leads to with Grenfell and in the corridors of our hospitals,” they wrote.

“We fight for a better world based on class justice. We want an end to the society that pours massive riches on the top fatcats whilst cutting our pay and social benefits.

“After Brexit we have to fight for our employment and social rights.

“We also have to expose the continuing racist attitudes that have most recently been shown up by the treatment of the Windrush generation.”

Gallery: May Day around the world

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The event will be held in memory of Mehmet Aksoy who was killed in Syria whilst filming with Kurdish fighters.

The march kicks off at midday.