Expedition granted?: hoping to save nearly-extinct seals through National Geographic contest
Jeremy Hance
mongabay.com
March 24, 2011
The Critically Endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Photo by: Brenda Becker.
Dashiell Masland, known as 'Dash', has always been in love with the sea and its inhabitants. Now, she is hoping to take that passion to the Hawaiian Islands to save one of the world's most threatened marine mammals: the Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi). Extinction is a real possibility: already, the related Carribbean monk seal vanished forever around 1950. Decimated by sealers, whalers, and even soldiers in World War II, the Hawaiian monk seals are struggling to make a come back with only 1,100 individuals surviving and the population decreasing by 4% a year. Today many face starvation due to a lack of prey. This is where Masland, who is currently competing in National Geographic's Expedition Granted, hopes to help.
"I am going to be studying the dietary habits of [a] small population of Hawaiian monk seals that are actually increasing. We don’t have a clear picture of their diet at this point and I will be using sophisticated DNA techniques to get sensitive and accurate data. The foraging ecology of these animals is a critical component to understanding the prey and habitat needed by the only growing population of Hawaiian monk seals in order to identify areas of potential overlap between seal diet and human use of marine resources. If we can make management decisions that will help this small population continue to increase, it may be the answer to saving this species from extinction."
National Geographic's Expedition Granted is an online voting contest to award a researcher $10,000 to undertake the expedition of their choice. Masland is currently competing with Trevor Frost who hopes to study threats to protected areas in Indonesia [read about Frost's proposal here]. The winner will be announced on April 7th; the runner-up receives $2,500.
"It is very easy to register and when you vote you are entered to win a trip to the Galapagos aboard the National Geographic Expeditions ship! AND, you can vote once a day, every day until April 7th and be entered each time!" says Masland.
To vote for either candidate: Expedition Granted
INTERVIEW WITH DASH MASLAND
Mongabay: What drew you to marine biology?
Dash Masland: I grew up on the coast of Maine and have always been fascinated by the water. It has a completely calming effect on me and I am in wonder of the fact that it is so vast and there is so much going on under the water, and yet all we can see at most times is the deceptively calm surface.
Dash Masland. Photo courtesy of Masland.Literally as far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a marine biologist. I spent a ton of time growing up exploring the tide pools, beaches, and islands Because I love the ocean so much, I also recognize that it is in great danger. We overfish, destroy habitat and put many pressures on marine mammals that make it hard for species to survive. The ocean ecosystems are very fragile and it is one of the most important habitats on earth. Not only does it support a huge percentage of life on this planet, the ocean also provides more than 75% of the oxygen we breath through photosynthetic algae. Incredible! I really just want to help preserve this amazing, diverse, vastly unexplored, and absolutely essential habitat.
Mongabay: What makes the Hawaiian monk seal unique?
Dash Masland: Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) are incredible marine mammals in so many ways. Broadly, they belong to the order Pinnipedia, or "fin-footed" which includes all seals, sea lions and walruses. These marine mammals are amazing because they are actually considered "semi-aquatic" meaning they have evolved to live both in the water and on land. That is no easy accomplishment! They mate, give birth and raise their young on land. They haul out to rest and sleep on rocks and beaches and need to be able to escape predators on land. And then, they do all their foraging underwater at depths of up to 800 feet and have to be able to out-swim both their prey and predators.
Monk seals are then even more unique because they are considered "living fossils". This means that they have evolved so little from their ancestor that was alive 15 million years ago they are considered to be the same species. The Hawaiian monk seal has been in Hawaii for 10 million years. In addition, they are only found in Hawaii today and are one of the few marine mammals that’s geographic range is limited to one country.
Mongabay: Why are they so threatened?
Dash Masland: The Hawaiian monk seal was hunted to near extinction in the 1800's by sealers, shipwrecked crews, and feather and guano hunters. There was another major decline in the early 20th century with evidence linking this to military activity. The population has since struggled to rebound. It has been fully protected for the past few decades and their primary habitat in the North West Hawaiian Islands has been protected as a marine park for years. However, the monk seal is still not recovering. It is thought that the main reason for the lack of recovery is that most monk seal pups die of starvation. They have a less than 1 in 5 chance of making it to adulthood. This is probably due a shift in the availability of food and to competition for fish resources from other seals and other species such as sharks.
Dash Masland working in the lab. Photo courtesy of Masland.Mongabay: What role do they play in the ecosystem? In other words, if they vanish will there be ecological ripples?
Dash Masland: Monk seals and seals in general are considered to be top predators. While they still have predators of their own, they are at one of the highest trophic levels in their ecosystem. Top predators are considered to be crucial to marine ecosystems for a variety of reasons. First, they keep the entire ecosystem populations in check. Ecosystems evolve to have a delicate balance of species, niches and population numbers. If we were to loose the Hawaiian monk seal it would be hard to say what the ripple would be. But surely some of their prey items would exponentially increase without being predated upon. And then that species would over-forage on the next trophic level down, decimating those populations and potentially crashing the ecosystem. Therefore, loosing a top predator can have huge consequences for an ecosystem. Have you heard the classic sea otter and urchin example?
The other thing that top predators help to do in a marine ecosystem is nutrient cycle. By consuming fish and then defecating in the ocean, Hawaiian monk seals release the nutrients from the fish back into the water and makes them bioavailable for photosynthetic algae, for example, which produce most of the oxygen we breath on this planet and are at the bottom of the ocean food web.
Mongabay: There is one population of Hawaiian monk seals that is growing. Do researchers have any idea why this is?
Dash Masland: We are not really sure why this is. This is why we need to get in there and study the biology and ecology of this small population so we can better monitor its growth and help managers come up with effective strategies to allow seals and humans to coexist in the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI).
Mongabay: How are you proposing to aid Hawaiian monk seals through Expedition Granted?
Dash Masland: I am going to be studying the dietary habits of the small population of Hawaiian monk seals that are actually increasing. We don’t have a clear picture of their diet at this point and I will be using sophisticated DNA techniques to get sensitive and accurate data. The foraging ecology of these animals is a critical component to understanding the prey and habitat needed by the only growing population of Hawaiian monk seals in order to identify areas of potential overlap between seal diet and human use of marine resources. If we can make management decisions that will help this small population continue to increase, it may be the answer to saving this species from extinction.
Hawaiian monk seal with pup. Photo by: Brenda Becker.Mongabay: Given the many threats facing the ocean today—overfishing, climate change, pollution—how optimistic are you that species like the Hawaiian monk seal will survive?
Dash Masland: I'm not really sure the answer to this one, but I do know that I won't want to watch them go extinct without feeling like I’ve done everything I can to help. Here is what I do know: If we can remove marine debris from the ocean and alleviate fishing pressures in their critical habitat and make management decisions in the favor of these animals, I think there is a good chance they will be able to make it. Many populations of animals are able to rebound when we just figure out what it is they need to do so. And, the Hawaiian monk seal has been alive for 15 million years. I would like to think that if they have survived that long, that with a little help from us they could live for another 15 million!
Mongabay: Where can people vote?
Dash Masland: People can vote for me at Expedition Granted. It is very easy to register and when you vote you are entered to win a trip to the Galapagos aboard the National Geographic Expeditions ship! AND, you can vote once a day, every day until April 7th and be entered each time! You can follow my adventure on twitter @DashMasland or on Facebook at DashMasland. Join me and help spread the word to save the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Thank you!
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Saturday, 26 March 2011
Expedition granted?: hoping to save nearly-extinct seals through National Geographic contest
Workers March In Spending Cuts Backlash | LBC
Workers March In Spending Cuts Backlash
Friday, 25th March 2011 22:47The Government is facing the largest public backlash against its spending cuts as tens of thousands of workers stage a mass protest in central London.
The march - the biggest union-organised event for more than 20 years and the largest in the country since the anti-Iraq war march in 2003 - set off early from Embankment because of the huge number of protesters.
Len McCluskey, the general secretary of the Unite union, said he believed there were half a million people taking part in the protest.
"This is an absolutely incredible turnout and display of anger which the Government will have to take notice of," he said.
More than 4,500 police officers are on duty for the demonstration dubbed the "March for the Alternative", which has been organised by the Trade Union Congress.
The protesters brought central London to a standstill as they headed towards Hyde Park, waving banners and blowing vuvuzelas.
:: Read about grandmother Tina Taylor who is marching because of cutbacks to healthcare services.
TUC head of economic affairs Nicola smith said the marchers were "trade union members, but also public sector workers, pensioners, people from a whole range of community groups, people with their families, all joining together to send a message to the Government that there is an alternative".
"The alternative is a deficit reduction strategy that focuses on growth and the role that tax can play in making sure our public finances are put on a sustainable footing."
Labour politicians including leader Ed Miliband were also taking part as well as a number of activists planning to take direct action.
Banks and stores in Oxford Street were expected to be targeted by anti-cuts group UK Uncut, as well as a "secret" location, which will be hit by protesters.
In Shaftesbury Avenue, a group of about 150 protesters who had broken away from the main march blocked the road before heading to Piccadily Circus. some tried to get into shops but were stopped from entering
Sky's home affairs correspondent Mark White said the group remained peaceful but were "trying to give the police the run around".
More than 600 coaches and dozens of trains brought people to the capital, with many more unable to get to London because of the massive demand for transport.
:: Read about careers adviser Jayne Bogan who is marching because of cutbacks to education services.
Unite's Len McCluskey said those taking part in the march were the "tip of the iceberg" because millions were opposed to the Government's cuts in public spending.
"There is growing anger, which will build and build as the impact of the cuts take effect," said Mr McCluskey, who warned of more demonstrations and possible co-ordinated strikes in the coming months.
:: Follow the route of the march through London
A new opinion poll has suggested that most people sympathise with the TUC's stance.
Asked by YouGov whether they supported or opposed today's march, 52% said they supported it, 31% opposed it, while 17% said they did not know.
Perhaps surprisingly, 19% of Conservative voters said they supported the march.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude told Sky News that the Government was already "actively engaging" with the TUC over many of the issues being highlighted at the march.
"There are six million public sector workers and a lot of them will obviously be worried about the effect of cuts," he said.
"What we are doing is trying to protect jobs as best we can, putting in place lots of controls, we're taking out the overhead costs of government, we're squeezing suppliers, we're coming out of property."
The police operation will be closely scrutinised after criticism of the handling of recent demonstrations.
When student protests turned violent before Christmas, the policy of "kettling" - or containing protesters in a confined space to stop trouble spreading - was called into question.
Human rights group Liberty will be in the police control during the march to monitor the response.
Director of policy Isabella Sankey told Sky News: "We are going to be observing what police are doing and then we are going to be calling it as we see it.
"The police have all sorts of powers at there disposal ... and we've seen that peaceful protest has been undermined by misuse and abuse of those powers."
But Westminster Council has said it is not anticipating trouble and visitors should not be deterred.
The march comes three days after the Budget, in which the Chancellor underlined the Government's determination to tackle the deficit.
With public sector cuts only now just starting to bite, it could be the first of many.
(c) Sky News 2011
Workers March In Spending Cuts Backlash | LBC
Workers March In Spending Cuts Backlash
Friday, 25th March 2011 22:47The Government is facing the largest public backlash against its spending cuts as tens of thousands of workers stage a mass protest in central London.
The march - the biggest union-organised event for more than 20 years and the largest in the country since the anti-Iraq war march in 2003 - set off early from Embankment because of the huge number of protesters.
Len McCluskey, the general secretary of the Unite union, said he believed there were half a million people taking part in the protest.
"This is an absolutely incredible turnout and display of anger which the Government will have to take notice of," he said.
More than 4,500 police officers are on duty for the demonstration dubbed the "March for the Alternative", which has been organised by the Trade Union Congress.
The protesters brought central London to a standstill as they headed towards Hyde Park, waving banners and blowing vuvuzelas.
:: Read about grandmother Tina Taylor who is marching because of cutbacks to healthcare services.
TUC head of economic affairs Nicola smith said the marchers were "trade union members, but also public sector workers, pensioners, people from a whole range of community groups, people with their families, all joining together to send a message to the Government that there is an alternative".
"The alternative is a deficit reduction strategy that focuses on growth and the role that tax can play in making sure our public finances are put on a sustainable footing."
Labour politicians including leader Ed Miliband were also taking part as well as a number of activists planning to take direct action.
Banks and stores in Oxford Street were expected to be targeted by anti-cuts group UK Uncut, as well as a "secret" location, which will be hit by protesters.
In Shaftesbury Avenue, a group of about 150 protesters who had broken away from the main march blocked the road before heading to Piccadily Circus. some tried to get into shops but were stopped from entering
Sky's home affairs correspondent Mark White said the group remained peaceful but were "trying to give the police the run around".
More than 600 coaches and dozens of trains brought people to the capital, with many more unable to get to London because of the massive demand for transport.
:: Read about careers adviser Jayne Bogan who is marching because of cutbacks to education services.
Unite's Len McCluskey said those taking part in the march were the "tip of the iceberg" because millions were opposed to the Government's cuts in public spending.
"There is growing anger, which will build and build as the impact of the cuts take effect," said Mr McCluskey, who warned of more demonstrations and possible co-ordinated strikes in the coming months.
:: Follow the route of the march through London
A new opinion poll has suggested that most people sympathise with the TUC's stance.
Asked by YouGov whether they supported or opposed today's march, 52% said they supported it, 31% opposed it, while 17% said they did not know.
Perhaps surprisingly, 19% of Conservative voters said they supported the march.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude told Sky News that the Government was already "actively engaging" with the TUC over many of the issues being highlighted at the march.
"There are six million public sector workers and a lot of them will obviously be worried about the effect of cuts," he said.
"What we are doing is trying to protect jobs as best we can, putting in place lots of controls, we're taking out the overhead costs of government, we're squeezing suppliers, we're coming out of property."
The police operation will be closely scrutinised after criticism of the handling of recent demonstrations.
When student protests turned violent before Christmas, the policy of "kettling" - or containing protesters in a confined space to stop trouble spreading - was called into question.
Human rights group Liberty will be in the police control during the march to monitor the response.
Director of policy Isabella Sankey told Sky News: "We are going to be observing what police are doing and then we are going to be calling it as we see it.
"The police have all sorts of powers at there disposal ... and we've seen that peaceful protest has been undermined by misuse and abuse of those powers."
But Westminster Council has said it is not anticipating trouble and visitors should not be deterred.
The march comes three days after the Budget, in which the Chancellor underlined the Government's determination to tackle the deficit.
With public sector cuts only now just starting to bite, it could be the first of many.
(c) Sky News 2011
March 26 liveblog - PCS
March 26 liveblog
The flagship demonstration against government cuts is the March for the Alternative – organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Saturday 26 March.
Live updates will be posted on this page. Please refresh the page for the latest updates, and scroll to the bottom to see earlier posts. We are also tweeting from the march, with updates including our location and key events, using the hashtags #pcs26 and #26march.
12:44 - Good to see plenty of PCS flags and placards among other union groups passing too.
12:42 - Manchester NUT vice chair Melanie Crossman said 'I'm thrilled to bits with the turnout. It shows the breadth of opposition to the cuts. There are lots of people here who are not political and do not go on demonstrations. We teach children from deprived areas and they have no chance of going to university under the new system. It's not about ability, it's about ability to pay.'
12:40 - Determination to raise awareness about the alternative to the cuts kept PCS member Richard Evans going on his 166-mile walk this week just to get to the start of the march. 'The support and encouragement I got along the way was incredible. At times I didn't think I was going to make it but that support kept me going. I walked to try and encourage others to join me and show that there is an alternative. Hopefully we'll convinve the government to think again about cuts to vital public services'.
12:38 - Lorraine is off the bus, and marching with us! If you haven't already done so, watch the fantastic video of Lorraine spreading the word about the march.
12:34 - Some great creative slogans, posters and banners at the march, well done all, a fantastic turnout from PCS members of course too.
12:26 - The National union of teachers are marching behind a massive pair of inflatable scissors bearing the slogan 'education cuts never heal'.
12:24 - Reports that the Police estimate there being around 450,000 marchers. Whatever the amount, it's clearly a great turnout, well done all.
12:22 - Front of march is now at Piccadilly circus.
12:14 - A constant stream of marchers have been passing over Waterloo bridge from the south bank for the part hour. It's not on the official route but they have the banners in the air. Including one from a PCS branch.
12:10 - As the march moved off slowly, eight year old Andrew Miles was leading the chanting as he sat on his Dad's shoulders clapping with his inflatable PCS sticks. Dad Peter and Mum Lindsay work in Birmingham job centres. Andrew's brothers Owen, 13 and Rhys, 7 are also on the march.
12:07 - Lots of marchers wearing our PCS march for the alternative badges. Good stuff.
11.59 - PCS marchers are on the move, with PCS rep Richard Evans marching under the banner, having finished his 166 mile walk. Congratulations and huge thanks Richard. An inspiration to all.
11:53 - There are more than thirty PCS banners lined up by Waterloo bridge. Well done all.
11:52 - From the TUC site, a YouGov poll shows that the majority of people in the UK back the march.
11:40 - A reminder that the PCS stall is by speakers corner in Hyde Park. Visit us for the latest leaflets and flyers (like our alternative booklet) and other useful PCS resources.
11:32 - A reminder on a few key tips should the media ask to speak to you during the march.
11:27 - Marchers are lining up across Waterloo Bridge in readiness for the march to Hyde Park.
11:21 - Lots of wellwishers to the PCS contingent at Piccadilly circus in favour of the march, and opposed to cuts.
11:20 - There's a deafening combination of vuvuzelas under Waterloo bridge and helicopters over it.
11:19 - PCS London courts branch banner is just arriving.
11:16 - 'Osborne's cuts are fair if pigs can fly' reads one colourful t-shirt of a marcher waiting to move off.
11:13 - More PCS banners on display from DWP Sheffield, Revenue and Customs group, Portsmouth Ministry of Defence and Group 48.
11:11 - One of the youngest marchers is 13-month-old Rosa from Wanstead whose parents Dave and Liza are marching to save vital services such as Surestart and in defence of public services.
11:05 - Alan Dowling, a PCS member from the UK border agency in Sheffield is attending his first ever PCS demo. He said: 'it is ridiculous that people are being made redundant when we have a backlog of work. They are being thrown onto the dole when there are no jobs in the private sector'.
11:01 - If you haven't already, why not watch Lorraine on the bus spreading the word about the demonstration - this has been viewed more than 8,000 times on youtube
10:56 - The march move forward about 50 yards, and then stops. Looks like it's a false start.
10:54 - PCS banners on the Embankment include DWP Liverpool and Scotland.
10:52 - Article on the guardian website on PCS rep Richard Evans 166 mile walk to the March. You can Follow Richard's progress as he finishes his walk on Twitter using #Walk2March.
10:46 - PCS placards include 'No justice in cuts', 'There is an alternative...close the £120billion pound tax gap' 'There is an alternative...invest in housing and transport'.
10:42 - Comedian, activist and author, Mark Thomas is aiming to be marching with UK Uncut today. Read our recent interview with him.
10:34 - Ten coaches from Derby have just arrived at the Wembley coach park. Organised by Unite, Unison and the National Union of Teachers.
10:33 - The Prison Officers Association delegation in bright yellow t-shirts are lined up in front of the PCS contingent.
10:28 - PCS Scotland banner is on the Embankment by Waterloo bridge.
10:27 - Met Police group president Richard Rooney said the march shows 'we've had enough' and that the union movement had woken up to fight back. 'Many police officers our sympathetic to our view and feeling the pinch too.'
10:25 - Third local PCS banner unfurled on the Embankment is Aberdeen Town Committee branch. They came down on the sleeper.
10:21 - Noisy contingent from GMB union branch march to assembly point blowing orange vuvuzelas.
10:19 - Second local PCS banner unfurled on the Embankment is Met Police London branch.
10:17 - The PCS stall is setting up by speakers corner in Hyde Park. The stall will have our latest leaflets and flyers (like our alternative booklet), clappers, ponchos and lots of other interesting PCS resources you can use at the march.
10:15 - First local PCS banner unfurled on the Embankment is Cornwall, Devon and Somerset branch. They came down on the sleeper.
10:12 - Chartered Society of Physiotherapists are handing out green 'protect your local NHS' stickers to passers by on the Embankment.
10:09 - Unite inflatables with red and white markings also on display.
10:03 - Purple and green Unison inflatables are bobbing in the wind at the front of the assembly area on the embankment.
10:00 - We're hoping to add videos from the march to the site as and when we can. The guardian are also uploading vids to from marchers, details on the site.
09:58 - Our massive yellow PCS balloon is at embankment, see for yourself at our flickr page.
09:52 - PCS calculated figure of £120billion pounds of tax evaded, avoided or uncollected being quoted by speaker with megaphone across the road from parliament.
09:46 - By the block on Big Ben. There are three TV trucks on Westminster bridge ready to cover the demonstration which starts a few hundred yards to the east.
09:42 - Lots of coaches of demonstrators reported at Newport Pagnall station on the M1 as sun breaks through cloud over central London.
9.37 - Some London radio stations have been saying this morning that Westminster bridge is closed. In fact, it is open. Police on the bridge say it will be closed from 10.30 to traffic, but will stay open for pedestrians. Buses that usually cross Westminster bridge are already stopping short on both sides.
9.34 - For those yet to set off, please remember the practical stuff before you leave. And, for reading material for the trip, why not download our alternative leaflet to print off and read
There is an alternative: The case against cuts in public spending
You can also find lots of other good resources such as flyers to download from our march page.
09:25 - Marchers are also using scheduled transport to reach London. A group with yellow PCS flags were spotted boarding the 7.3oam train from Leeds to Kings Cross, London.
09:22 - Hundreds of coaches and trains are bringing demonstrators to London from all over Britain. Unions have been working well together with white Unite whistles handed out on the 6.20am National Union of Teachers' train from Manchester.
09:17 - Mobile networks permitting, we will be uploading pics to the PCS flickr page. Check out some of the images already there, including our recent projections on to various buildings in the capital.
09:04 - If you're making your way to the march, why not think up some chants for the day? There's a few suggestions on this page, but we're sure you can think up some better ones too.
08:59 - PCS rep Richard Evans will be setting off from Hounslow this morning, completing the final leg of a 166-mile walk. Congratulations, and thank you Richard. Will see you there. You can Follow Richard's progress as he finishes his walk on Twitter using #Walk2March.
08:50 - From marchers attending from Liverpool - Lime Street really busy, great vibe, everyone up for a great day. Good stuff, see you soon!
08:40 - The BBC are reporting that around 100,00 people are likely to attend the march (as predicted by the TUC), while the Guardian has the figure at up to 300,000. Either way, it's going to be a big turn out today, best wishes to all marching. To all PCS members, see you on the Embankment, assembly point 6.
08:25 - People with banners getting off train Waterloo. Embankment lined with union placard and banners already
UK Uncut | UK news | guardian.co.uk
Well worth watching - heart warming (-: What a lovely lot of peeps you are UK Uncut (-:
Anti-cuts march: the protesters | World news | The Guardian
Anti-cuts march: the protesters
From mother and toddler groups to anarchists – via off-duty police officers – the protesters will come from all sectors of society
- guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 13.47 GMT
- Article history
Map of proposed routes. Click for larger picture. Source: Guardian
Trade unions
Trade unionists are likely to make up the overwhelming bulk of today's demonstrators. The TUC is predicting between 100,000 and 200,000 – although some think the figure could be far higher – with delegations travelling to London from almost all of the 55 affiliated unions. While the majority are expected to arrive on public transport, 828 coaches and at least 10 trains have been chartered to bring people from as far afield as Cornwall and Inverness. The TUC is providing more than 1,500 stewards and bands will provide entertainment along the route.
Student groups
Activists from last year's student protests, which saw tens of thousands take to the streets to oppose the rise in university tuition fees and cuts to post-16 education, have been mobilising for the protest for several weeks. Thousands are expected to join a "feeder march" outside the University of London student union building in Bloomsbury at 10am before making their way to the Embankment, where the main body of the TUC march is congregating.
There have been several student occupations at universities around the UK in the run-up to today's protest, and activists say they are planning a range of "direct action" events to coincide with the main march. Students say the movement has been bolstered since Christmas by an influx of experienced activists from the environmental and anti-capitalist movements.
UK Uncut
UK Uncut, a peaceful direct action group set up five months ago to oppose government cuts and protest against corporate tax avoidance, is calling on its supporters to occupy and close down scores of shops on Oxford Street.
Since it was formed, UK Uncut has forced the temporary closure of branches of more than 100 high-street stores including Vodafone, Topshop and Boots, which it accuses of having avoided billions of pounds in tax – a claim disputed by the companies. During its last two days of action activists targeted high-street banks, which they argue are largely responsible for the economic crisis.
More than a dozen separate UK Uncut groups from around the country will head to Oxford Street at 2pm, where they will stage 14 separate protests before descending on a new, as yet unannounced, target at 3.30pm. Actor Sam West and comedians Josie Long and Mark Thomas will be joining in the protests.
Parents and toddlers
Thousands of families and young children are expected to join the demonstration. Among them will be a coachload of "mums and toddlers" from Hampshire, who are demonstrating against the closure of their Sure Start centres in the county. "So many people rely on these centres and we are going to lose a third of them," said Catherine Ovenden, who is planning to bring her two children, Lily, two, and Amy, three, on the march. "This is going to have a huge impact and people are really angry."
Pensioners
Pensioners from across the country will be marching in a dedicated bloc in Saturday's demonstration amid rising anger about the changes to the pensions system and the impact of the government's cuts on older people. Neil Duncan-Jordan from the National Pensioners Convention said he had not seen members so energised and motivated for more than a decade.
Football supporters
Members of the football supporters' union the Spirit of Shankly are travelling by coach from Liverpool. The group, which was formed three years ago and campaigns on football and wider social issues, has 11,000 members. Roy Bentham, 43, said: "There was a vote and our membership decided we should support the TUC and the march, that we should do our bit to oppose what is going on, so we are setting off at 4.30am and hope to be in London by about 10am."
Campaigners against domestic violence
Domestic abuse services are being hit hard by the cuts, and many campaign groups will be on Saturday's march. Members of the White Ribbon campaign from Portsmouth will be travelling to London to highlight the impact of cuts on vulnerable women and children. Kirsty Mellor, 32, said: "One in four women are affected by domestic abuse in the UK and we find it strange this government don't see these are essential services."
Doctors
The British Medical Association is not sending a formal delegation on the march, but doctors from across the country will be joining the demonstration. Wendy Savage, from Keep Our NHS Public, said groups from London, Oxford and Manchester would be demonstrating alongside members of the NHS Consultants' Association.
Police
As well as the 4,500 police officers on duty Peter Smyth, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said off-duty officers would join the demonstration to protest at cuts to the police service itself. "I am aware that there will be a number of police officers joining the march, so we have a bit of a common cause with the TUC on this one," Smyth said.
Journalists
Aside from those covering the demonstration, journalists from newspapers, television and online will march under the National Union of Journalists banner as part of the Federation of Entertainment Unions.
Coalition of Resistance
This national anti-cuts alliance, which draws support from leftwing groups and elements of the union and labour movements as well as environmental groups and student activists, is expected to mobilise thousands. Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite union and supporter of this "other" coalition, said: "The labour movement is at a crossroads. Either we stand at the heart of a broad, powerful and militant movement against the government's economic agenda or we risk decline and marginalisation."
Resist 26
This online group claims it will stage a number of "people's assemblies" along the route of the march. Under the banner "Battle of Britain" it is calling for a 24-hour occupation of an area of Hyde Park and "after parties" at London landmarks including Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace.
'Tahrir to Trafalgar'
A group of student groups, two Labour MPs and range of other activists have called for a 24-hour occupation of Trafalgar Square – drawing inspiration from revolts in the Middle East – following the main march. In a joint statement they said: "We want to turn Trafalgar Square into a place of people's power where we assert our alternative to cuts and austerity and make it a day that this government won't forget."
Anarchists and libertarians
Several anarchist groups are planning to take part in the demonstrations. One, calling itself "the radical workers' bloc", is staging a feeder march from Kennington Park in south London. The group is "calling on anarchists, libertarian communists and militant workers … to provide a visible presence and a revolutionary alternative to the sellouts in the TUC bureaucracy".
Armchair army
And for those who can't make the demonstration, there is also the "first armchair army virtual march". The Facebook group, which has more than 1,600 members, states: "This group is for people who are not able to attend the national march in protest at the horrific cuts being made by this government. YOU can add real and massive support to the march by BOMBARDING news/media with your letters and messages of support."
March for the alternative – live updates | Society | guardian.co.uk
March for the alternative – live updates
• More than 250,000 expected on march against coalition cuts
• Protesters gather in London in biggest demo for eight years
• Police warn against infiltration by extremists
• Read our latest news story on the protest<p>To receive updated content, refresh the page (F5 for a web browser).</p>This page will update automatically every minute: On | OffThe anti-cuts march sets off from Embankment in London. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
12.45pm: Journalist Mary Hamilton - aka newsmary - has been posting photos of the march on Twitpic.
The Public and Commercial Services Union has set up its own live blog of the march.
12.30pm: Here's a map of the march route
12.20pm: PA news agency has been speaking to some of the protesters:
Peter Keats, 54, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, who works for Jobcentre Plus, said:
"We're toasting the success as so many people have turned out. The press were saying 100,000 people but I think we have far exceeded that. I'm hoping for half a million. I'm hoping the government will start to listen with this many out.
"Personally, I think it's wrong the way we are hitting the poor. I'm not so much worried about myself but the customers I deal with are vulnerable and I'm worried about them and I'm worried about the kids of this country."
Alan Dowling, 40, who works for the UK Border Agency in Sheffield, said:
"The other day the immigration minister was on TV saying we need to do more. How are we going to do more enforcement when we are cutting enforcement officers?"
12.17pm: Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, estimates there are half a million people taking part in the protest.
He told PA:
"This is an absolutely incredible turnout and display of anger which the government will have to take notice of."
Hundreds of police officers lined up outside parliament behind metal barriers as the marchers passed by and moved down Whitehall.
12.09pm: Matthew Taylor, who has been following the education feeder march, has now joined the main protest.
In this audio report, he says the main march dwarfs the scale of the education protest:
"The student block has suddenly become much quieter than it was now they see the scale of the TUC march."
11.58am: Paul Lewis is on the Golden Jubilee Bridge near the Embankment, overlooking the march.
He says the turnout is huge, stretching from the Houses of Parliament to St Paul's Cathedral. He says the atmosphere is good natured. The only scuffle he's seen was a protester heckling the shadow chancellor, Ed Balls.
10.49am: My colleague Matthew Taylor is with the education feeder march, which set off from the University of London in Mallet Street, Bloomsbury, around 20 minutes ago.
Groups of Scottish students who set off at 11pm last night are leading the chanting. Student organisers had said 'more than 10000' people would meet here but so far there are probably month more than 2000 - although more are arriving all the time. Students and lecturers are being joined by various activist groups and so far the mood is vocal but pretty good natured. We're at Russell Square now. There's a small police presence. The police and the organisers don't seem clear on the route but we're on our way down to join the main march.
10.34am: My colleague Paul Lewis has just sent in his thoughts about the potential for trouble between protesters and the police.
"I don't think anyone doubts that the main march will be in large part good natured and peaceful. Most protesters will spend several hours marching through London, seeing little more than the placards in front of them, and finish with sandwiches in Hyde Park. But that isn't to say there won't be pockets of trouble, and if past experiences are anything to go by they could flare into some quite nasty confrontations with police.
"Flashpoints could come when a handful of unofficial feeder marches, coming from across the capital, plan to join the main march. Will police let them? Many of the seasoned activists - those police like to call 'trouble-makers' - are likely to be on these fringe processions (watch out for delegations gathering right now in Kennington Park, Camden and Mallet Street) and the instinct of police, who at times exhibit an almost medieval vision of crowd psychology, is often to prevent groups mixing. That would spell trouble.
"The other likely hotspots will be Oxford Street at 2pm, where UK Uncuts plan to close down shops, and Trafalgar Square late in the afternoon, which there are plans to occupy. Both of these locations, and others we don't yet know about, are likely to be magnets for those intending to peel off from the slow procession through London in search of "direct action". Coping sensibly with all these splinters from the main march will be a policing nightmare for Scotland Yard. It all comes down to how much coercion police use. Stop people from walking where they want and sparks fly."
10.29am: Here's some more comments from union leaders ahead of the march.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, will tell the demonstrators that every time the government votes through more cuts, they should hear the "angry voices" of public sector workers losing their jobs. He also warned it faced being wiped out in May's elections.
"Every day when they discuss squeezing NHS budgets I want them to remember the nurses here on the march, the paramedics - workers who keep our NHS going. Workers who see every day the effect of the cuts on patients who are having vital pain-relieving operations cut or delayed.
"Workers who worry about patient care suffering, because job cuts mean there are not enough staff on the ward. NHS workers and the public fearful that the Health and Social Care Bill will mean the break-up of the NHS - the end of our much loved health service as we know it. A new dawn of privatisation for the Tories' friends in big business.
"Every month when a library closes, a care home shuts its doors, or services for struggling young people are withdrawn, I want them to feel the fear, and anger of the people who have come here today from every part of the UK to vent their frustration and to stand up for a fairer future."
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said:
"Cameron and Clegg have launched a war on working people and today's demonstration is the start of the fightback. They expect us to suffer tax increases, pay cuts, unemployment and devastation of our pensions to pay for the crisis their friends in the City caused. They should expect the fight of their lives."
Len McCluskey, leader of Unite, said those taking part in the march were the "tip of the iceberg" because millions were opposed to the cuts.
"There is growing anger, which will build and build as the impact of the cuts take effect."
10.13am: Labour politicians will join the march and party leader Ed Miliband will address the rally in Hyde Park. He will use the speech to set out Labour's alternative to the cuts and to accuse the coalition of fomenting the "politics of division" not seen since the "rotten" Thatcher era. Labour is calling the demonstration the "march of the mainstream".
But Gove told the Today programme there were "really big dangers" for Miliband in addressing the rally at the end of the march.
"One is that people will say 'You are calling for a plan B from the government, you don't even have a plan A. More than that, you are associating yourself with a march which could, I'm afraid, move from being family event into being something darker."
10.10am: Education secretary Michael Gove said today that he recognised the public concerns about the planned cuts. But he insisted that the government would not be deflected from its strategy.
He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme:
"Of course people will feel a sense of disquiet, in some cases anger, at what they see happening, but the difficulty we have as the government inheriting a terrible economic mess, is that we have to take steps to bring the public finances back into balance."10.02am: Barber will tell today's rally that there is an alternative to the "brutal" spending cuts. Ahead of the march, he accused the coalition government of threatening the NHS and destroying communities with the scale of the job cuts.
"No part of our public realm is to be protected. And don't believe it when ministers say that the NHS is safe in their hands. With over 50,000 job cuts already in the pipeline - nurses, doctors, physios, midwives - in the name of so-called efficiency savings of £20 billion, the NHS as we know it, is already in intensive care.
"With David Cameron talking about selling it off to any willing provider out to make a profit, the NHS is facing the gravest threat in its history.
"Today let us say to him: we will not let you destroy what has taken generations to build. Let's be brutally clear about these brutal cuts. They're going to cost jobs on a huge scale - adding to the misery of the 2.5 million people already on the dole.
"They're going to hammer crucial services that bind our communities together, and they're going to hit the poorest and the most vulnerable hardest. Anyone who tells you different is a bare-faced liar.
"The government claims there is no alternative, but there is. Let's keep people in work and get our economy growing. Let's get tax revenues flowing and tackle the tax cheats, and let's have a Robin Hood Tax on the banks, so they pay us back for the mess they caused."
9.45am: A Guardian/ICM poll published today shows that the public are divided over the cuts, while two other polls last night put the balance more strongly against cuts.
The Guardian/ICM poll of 1,014 found that 35% believe the cuts go too far, 28% think they strike the right balance and 29% think they don't go far enough; 8% don't know.
A YouGov survey for Unison found that 56% believe the cuts are too harsh and a ComRes poll for ITV showed that two-thirds think the government should reconsider its planned spending cuts programme. Just one in five disagreed with that view.
Speaking ahead of the march, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said of the Unison survey: "I'm sure that many of our critics will try to write us off today as a minority, vested interest. This poll nails that lie.
"The thousands coming to London from across the country will be speaking for their communities when they call for a plan B that saves vital services, gets the jobless back to work and tackles the deficit through growth and fair tax."
9.15am: Good morning and welcome to the Guardian's live coverage of the mass protest in London against the coalition government's public sector cuts.
Around 300,000 people are expected to join the March for the Alternative organised by the TUC, the biggest union-organised event for over 20 years and the largest in the country since the protest against the Iraq war in 2003. More than 800 coaches and 10 trains have been chartered to bring people to the capital from as far afield as Cornwall and Inverness.
Union members are expected to be joined by a broad coalition, from pensioners to doctors, families and first-time protesters, to football supporters and anarchists. My colleague Matthew Taylor has written a guide to all the organisations - both official and unofficial - who will be taking part.
The Metropolitan Police believe a small minority will try to hijack the anti-cuts march to stage violent attacks on property and the police. The TUC organisers of the event say they have organised a family-friendly demonstration with brass, jazz and Bollywood bands. But there are concerns that unofficial feeder marches, sit-down protests and a takeover of Trafalgar Square could turn from peaceful civil disobedience into stand-offs with the police.
The march assembles on the Embankment from 11am but it will still be leaving at 2pm and possibly even later. The TUC has drawn up a set of tips for those planning to join the march. The protest will culminate in a rally in Hyde Park. Guardian reporters Matthew Taylor and Paul Lewis will be out on the streets covering the protest as it happens.
If you're at the demo and want to send me any comments - or share any pictures, audio clips and videos - you can contact me either on david.batty@guardian.co.uk or on Twitter - @David_Batty
Anti-Gay App 'Bad Apple' Plucked After Provoking Outrage - Page 2 - Technorati Technology
Anti-Gay App 'Bad Apple' Plucked After Provoking Outrage - Page 2
Truth Wins Out's director of communications and development John Becker said in a statement. “This is a that double standard that should not stand."
There is no cure because there is no illness. Homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders in 1973. In its place went: "ego-dystonic homosexuality," which was highly criticized. This was in effect until 1986, when it was removed in its entirety. Up until this point homosexuals were charged and jailed as sexual perverts or placed into a mental ward where some of the "sexual perverts" had lobotomies performed on the less fortunate. By current standards, a mental illness is diagnosed when the symptoms substantially interfere with daily functioning. Many psychologists and psychiatrists found that homosexuality alone was not interfering with daily functioning.
The LGBT community and consumers doesn’t need an Apple IPhone and IPad loaded with worms. Somewhere out there in Tech-Land is a guru who can come up with apps that help and not hinder gay, lesbian, bisexual,and transgender people who may be lost in all the confusion. The apps should be helpful with resources and referrals for self-help, hotlines, gay organizations, gay venues and businesses, clinics for mental and physical care, Dial-aPrayer apps to pray for protection and guidance from the likes of Exodus, Inc., and those like them, shelters for gay youths and adults who are homeless, legal help for those with legal matters, spiritual, online, LGBT Bible Study, LGBT activities, a search to find churches that can become a safe haven for the grace of God for understanding, wisdom,and strength to those having a hard time with their sexuality,and gay activities and events. These are the kinds of applications that should be applied as apps for the Apple IPad, IPhone and iPod Touch for the ease and luxury of it all. The above mentioned features are the kind of Apple IPad and IPhone that Apple chief executive Steve Jobs should unveil.
This just in from the wire;The so-called "gay cure" apps were pulled on the morning of March 23, 2011. So, one Bad Apple does spoil the rest of the basket.
Anti-Gay App 'Bad Apple' Plucked After Provoking Outrage - Technorati Technology
Anti-Gay App 'Bad Apple' Plucked After Provoking Outrage
Exodus Inc. is the anti-gay organization of the “Gay No More" and “Pray Gay Away” movement that had a controversial new app on the Apple iPod, iPad and iPod Touch. (Recently taken off the Apple devices March 23.) According to the folks at Exodus Inc. The app was a "refuge for people looking for help in their journey out of homosexuality." The app, it says, will help "cure" gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from their homosexuality. The “Rotten Apple” app claims to accomplish this change in LGBT people’s sexuality through the power of Jesus.
The Bad Apple a day device claims that the app will help set free gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people through the power of prayer.
Upon hearing of the bogus claims and promises of the “gay cure” app that was put in the Apple Store by Exodus International. Dr. Gary Remafedi, director of the Youth and AIDS Projects and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, fired off a letter to Apple asking them to pull the core out of this Apple app. Remafedi told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that the app falsely cites his research as saying the young people are "confused" about their sexual orientation. Some young people are overwhelmed with their sexuality while feeling lost, alone, and empty, he says. The confusion comes from the people in their surroundings.The anti-gay app for the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch is creating a whirlwind that has swept up advocacy groups imploring Apple to take it down. Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights group Stonewall, was under the impression that the petition filed earlier this week had absolutely no effect on Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. A new petition letter was sent to Apple, last week that said: “Apple doesn't allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its store, yet it gives the green light to an app written by an anti-gay extremist group that targets vulnerable sexual-minority youth with the message that they are 'sinful' and 'perverse,'" Thus far, more than 80,000 people have signed a petition against the so-called "gay cure" apps.
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