'Day of Rage' protests target Queen's Speech

A series of protests including a "Day of Rage" demonstration will be held in response to the Queen's Speech on Wednesday.

Organised by Movement for Justice By Any Means Necessary (MFJ), the Day of Rage will see protesters march on Downing Street at around 1pm calling on people to "bring down the Government".

Two other demonstrations will take place on the day Prime Minister Theresa May sets out her legislative programme for the next two years.

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Those taking part in the protests have been urged to keep them peaceful, amid fears that anger over the Grenfell disaster could be hijacked for violent means.

The Clement James Centre, which has been helping Grenfell Tower residents, said: "There has been a 'Day of Rage' announced for Wednesday, trying to bring London to a standstill.

"We cannot emphasise enough how against this many of the affected residents we've spoken to are and they do not want their grief hijacked for any violent or destructive means."

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell added that "it is vital that these protests are peaceful".

A fourth protest, titled "Not one day more", is being staged by The People's Assembly Against Austerity on 1 July from BBC Broadcasting House to Parliament Square.

It states its purpose as: "We're marching against a Government committed to austerity, cuts and privatisation. We're marching for a decent health service, education system, housing, jobs and living standards for all."

The protests are:

:: Day of Rage: A march from Shepherd's Bush Green to Downing Street from 1pm. On its Facebook page, MFJ references the Grenfell Tower fire and "brutal austerity, cuts and anti-immigrant attacks".

It states: "Politicians and many community and religious leaders will be looking to divert our rage and fury into inquiries, investigations, reports, court hearings, and parliamentary processes.

"We will not accept those brush-offs and diversions, we will not settle for less than the destruction of May's coalition of austerity and bigotry - we must bring down this Government."

Among the demands the group is making is the permanent right for all Grenfell Tower residents to remain in the UK and for survivors to be allowed to live in unoccupied flats in Kensington and Chelsea.

:: Stand Up To Racism: The group has organised a protest in Parliament Square, London, at 6pm on Wednesday, titled "Protest the Queen's speech - no to May/DUP racism & bigotry!"

On its Facebook page, it calls for people to join the protest, adding: "We want a government which opposes racism, values diversity and recognises the rights of refugees and migrants."

:: The London Socialist Party: The party is also staging a demonstration in Parliament Square, titled: "May must go! Protest the Queen's Speech!"

On its Facebook page, it calls for people to "protest at this year's Queen's Speech to tell May she has no mandate for more austerity".