Green Party leaders in London are encouraging people “inspired by protests in France” to join an anti-austerity rally in the capital ahead of next week’s Budget. The Hackney Greens reposted a message from one of their councillors urging those moved by the French demonstrators to join the “march against austerity” on the eve of the Budget.
The callout demands the restoration of “funding of our public services”, protection of the NHS, no more school closures, a clampdown on racism, and to tax the rich. It comes as rapid unrest and disorder spread across cities in France, where what began as students protesting against school conditions spiralled into mass looting and riots. More than 2,400 people have been arrested, with public buildings damaged and a historic city hall in Limoges set on fire.
Councillor's Instagram Post
The original post was written by Florence Schechter, a Green councillor and cabinet member at Hackney Council. Ms Schechter was chosen by Hackney Mayor Zoe Garbett to join the Cabinet as the member for finance, resident services, and digital in May this year. She wrote: “Inspired by the protests in France? We have our own protest in the UK the day before the autumn Budget is announced to tell our government what we think about austerity.” The post was later shared by the Hackney Greens.
Political opponents of the Greens have called the social media move “careless” and “irresponsible”, as reported by the Times. A Hackney Labour spokesperson told the same publication: “Peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right. But it is deeply concerning that a sitting Hackney cabinet member invoked France in this context, given the violence and tensions seen there. Such comparisons risk inflaming fears and divisions rather than bringing communities together.”
Labour Criticism and Response
The Labour spokesperson added: “We call on Councillor Schechter and Hackney Greens to clarify these careless comments, and remind those in positions of power that their words carry weight and can have real consequences.” It is understood that the Hackney Labour Councillors have deferred the matter to the council’s chief executive and the monitoring officer.
One former councillor told the Times that Ms Schechter’s comments showed “no awareness” of the current political climate. They said: “How anyone could suggest that burning public buildings and riots is inspirational defies belief. That an elected politician is suggesting it is scandalous. I cannot believe, given the terrible history we have in Hackney for riots and unrest, that they could be so irresponsible. Yes, they’re appealing to young people but the mob will come wading in off the back of it. We’ve had riots in Hackney before and it took businesses years to recover.”
Councillor Defends Position
In a response to the criticism, Ms Schechter insisted that she had not “endorsed” violence. She said: “To speak to people who are inspired by protests is not an endorsement of violence. The media and political establishment consistently focus on respectability over people’s real pain and needs. This only causes people to feel unheard and unsupported. Austerity is not just a topic: people are dying as a result of governments’ decisions to cut spending and make our communities pay their debts, in France and here in the UK. Peaceful protest is an essential tool to make sure the government acts as urgently as we need it to.”
The march will see protesters walk from Victoria Embankment to Downing Street via Trafalgar Square on Tuesday, October 27. The Standard has contacted the Green Party for comment.
