Proposed Library closures lead to young peoples march in Essex
Hundreds of people - most of them children and youth - joined a march to 'Save our Libraries' in Colchester on Saturday (27th April), to thwart Essex County Council proposals to terminate 25of its 74 libraries and to make a further 26 volunteer-operated. Young protestors had fun creating boards at a workshop from 11:30 in the morning at the Colchester Town House before starting their 1 mile march from Colchester Library to Firstsite. While walking chants of 'No ifs, no buts, no Essex Library cuts', could be heard. At the end of the protest a bagpiper and Scottish dancers entertained participants while an African drum group played some rythmical beats. In between the party atmosphere I was asked to talk about why I had travelled all the way from Chigwell to Colchester to take part in the march. You can see a video here: Essex County Concil have claimed that usage of libraries has reduced by 40% over the last ten years but have themselves made m