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Bectu and Musicians' Union join silent protest to save the arts

WORKERS from the arts and live entertainment sector joined a silent protest in Parliament Square in London today.

The protesters are calling on the government for immediate support to aid jobs in events, arts and cultural industries.

Arts unions, including Bectu and the Musicians’ Union (MU), have warned that the sector is at risk of being lost altogether as many have been unable to work under coronavirus restrictions.

Protesters held placards to highlight their plight. One read: “The wolf is at the door.”

Another held a sign saying “400,000+ theatre workers, over 15.3 million audience members, over £14 billion in revenue — we are viable.”

Others set up makeshift gallows where black T-shirts were hung with the words: “Our entire industry hung out to dry by the government.”

Another held a sign reading: “24/09/2020 – the day the music died,” in reference to the date Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his emergency jobs scheme with no provision for the arts industries.

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