Europe Spending Cuts Prompt Street Protests

June 30, 2011

Union members are seen during a mass group gathering in Newcastle, England, June 30, 2011,as thousands of public service workers and teachers in Britain go on strike over pension and government cuts

Europe’s debt crisis is starting to bite - and it’s bringing thousands of people onto the streets.

In Britain, teachers’ and public workers’ unions called a strike Thursday. Thousands of members joined marches against plans to increase the retirement age. Outside Westminster Abbey - where the royal wedding united the country in celebration just 2 months ago - the streets were filled with demonstrators.

“It’s not fair. We can’t be working in that kind of pressurized environment to the age of 68. I’m going to be paying twice the amount that I’m currently paying and I’ll get even less,” said a protester.

“We are not about to roll over. Bankers played dice with our futures, why are we paying for it?," said the other.

“Rather than taking what’s dished out and being like “OK”, and letting the government think that could do more, at least they understand now that people do feel about it and they’re willing to turn up en masse to show people what they think about it,” said another one.

Hundreds of thousands of people took part in the industrial action. Many of them joined one of the 80 demonstrations taking place across the country.