There's a protest march in Liverpool city centre this Saturday (3 October 2020) to raise awareness of the impact lockdown has had on the arts across the region.
The protest was originally postponed when a £1.57 bn rescue fund was announced, three months later undelivered, furlough is ending and organisations remain closed.
The march will begin at noon at the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral and move through the city centre to a rally with speakers at St George's Hall Plateau representing a diverse section of the industry, including the artistic director of Everyman Playhouse Gemma Bodinetz, Adam Flanders of BECTU and actor Tayo Aluko.
The weekend was chosen to build on a week-long build-up of protests around the country. Monday October 5 is the deadline for the Arts Council to have informed / distributed the arts rescue package for round one applicants.
March For The Arts has been organised by Liz Barker, Becky Webb and Gemma Dunne to raise awareness about the importance of the arts and championing those who work in arts industries.
The organisers said, "social distancing is important—we want to ensure everyone attending is 1m+ from the next bubble, is wearing a face mask unless medically exempt and have plenty of hand sanitiser! We are keeping a track on numbers through Facebook or by people e-mailing us confirmation of attendance.”
Register at [email protected] or on Facebook.
Marchers are encouraged to attend in work clothes or costume and to create banners or placards and are welcome to bring musical instruments or other theatrical props.