Tuesday 10 April 2012

Opinions please?

One other short but very important post :

The excellent DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) Are planning a mass day of protest on 18th April.
Disabled people, their friends, supporters and carers will be meeting at 1.30pm in Leicester Square. If you think you can possibly make it along, every last person will help.

A few days ago, DPAC were appealing for funds to help cover the costs of transport to help people get to the protest.

We have £956 left in the Spartacus Report fund and I wanted to ask you all if you think it would be a good idea to make a donation and if so how much you all think we should give.

It's your money, given with trust and generosity. We agreed that we would keep the money for fighting the £9.2 Billion of cuts disabled people are facing. If you think this is a good cause, do please leave a comment but equally, if you don't like the idea, feel free to say that too.


48 comments:

  1. I don't think it would be a good use of the funding compared to ongoing, lasting work like the Report - one press-friendly, stage-managed protest and it's gone.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @KimbellyBull on twitter said : great idea! The more people that can get there, the better!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Could we/us donate £256 from the Spartacus Report fund to help with travel costs? it is a good cause, but I also think we need to think about 'other ways' in how to use the Spartacus Report fund moneys.

    I am developing some ideas around a TV doc and a Radio doc to be made mostly by disabled people like us, and yes this will include some celebs too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. @xugla on twitter said :
    "good cause but you need the funds for spartacus eventualities... your our voice and face. use it for your travels to telly land etc"

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, I absolutely think this is worth donating too.

    I think it's sensible to keep some money in reserve, but as to the figures, I wouldn't know what to suggest. Maybe keeping £500 in the bank as a float?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have no issue with DPAC having the lot if it helps protestors with travel costs and/or related expenses.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i agree that it worth donating to, i will leave that to yourselves to decide amount as you also need funds for your work

    ReplyDelete
  8. @blackeyeddog2 on twitter said :
    "we could donate £100 i guess we are in this together you see"

    ReplyDelete
  9. @AlexaDWilson on twitter said :
    Hmm, tricky call but feel that fund should be used for further #Spartacusreport work rather than a one-off protest.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good point Sam. I'm only involved in one thing just now that will need money. It's for a film project. I haven't said anything about it yet as it's still very early days, but I'm excited by it. I'm sure at some point, we'll need any money we can get to make it happen.

    On the other hand, DPAC have tirelessly organised protests like these, through thick and thin, in the cold and rain. I know lots of us can't get to physical protests, so I thought that by donating, it might ease some of that frustration us #frombedactivists feel.

    Perhaps like Sam said above, we could just make a donation of some of the pot in solidarity?

    Some good ideas already, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Actually, perhaps if you were someone who donated you can say "I gave £xxxx and I would rather my money was kept for Spartacus/am happy for it to go towards a donation"

    ReplyDelete
  12. I didn't actually contribute any money, but if I may offer an opinion... I think it's okay to give some for that purpose, but should really know exactly what benefit is going to be had from what specific amount. Should always have full knowledge what you're doing with money you're using on other people's behalf.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sam, that's a good point.

      Delete
    2. I don't really think it is a good use of our resources. That money is for Spartacus, not for people we don't know doing a protest that won't, let's face it, make the slightest bit of difference to the situation. To me, donating money would be wasting money.

      Delete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  14. no I don't considervthis a good use of the money. For a start nothing will be reported in the media. There are better uses!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. @MargoJMilne on twitter said :

    " I tend to agree. Those funds were raised for long term strategic work - not saying protest unimportant of course!"

    ReplyDelete
  16. Didn't donate to Spartacus financially, but my view is that right now anything which can keep the spotlight on the issue is of value - and this protest is sure to attract a fair amount of press coverage. I say donate as much as is necessary.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I fully support DPAC, their way of doing things is different to yours, and all approaches are needed. But I think this money was raised for research and reports etc which you do so well and which are greatly needed. Eg. there may a need for reports to be done to go to the UN or for any legal initiatives - we will need all the money we've got for that. So much as I'd like to support them, I feel keep the money in the fund.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Personal opinion is no. Spartacus is dedicated to a different type of fighting the cuts and both approaches are desperately needed.

    If the money raised for strategic research is given to direct action, then only one approach will end up being funded.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Although I have already personally donated to DPAC I would be happy for some of thenspartacus money to be donated also. They are fighting the same cause as us and I think we should all support each other wherever possible.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I agree with the two previous comments - we need to keep the money for strategic research and reports, it wasn't raised for direct action.

    Have DPAC thought of doing a fund-raiser such as you did? Maybe you can tell them about GoFundMe? http://www.gofundme.com/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Doesn't this protest involve Trade Unions as well? Can they not donate money towards travel costs, they have a lot more than we do!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. freyaflossylala on twitter said : "tried comment but dont think fone let me. I'd keep a float of £500 back, n give help 2dsbld ppl n carers only. X"

    ReplyDelete
  23. I may be wrong, but its my understanding UNISON will be funding DPAC in the longer term.

    You will have a heavy need for funding in the longer term for the work you undertake. for example research and responses to PIP has only just begun, A long road ahead.

    A great gesture I agree, but needs must.

    ReplyDelete
  24. i think we should donate something towards the DPAC PROTEST even if it is £100 as we should be standing shoulder to shoulder with those who are willing and able to do what the rest of us cannot

    ReplyDelete
  25. PIP research, Universal credit research, reports to UN, Legal advice, media interviews etc all need big money. We have seen that street protests have made very little difference so far - therefore keep the money for something which might.

    ReplyDelete
  26. While I feel a £100 would help I really would like the funds spent on spartacus as we have a long road to tread..
    Good luck with the protest!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. The more people there at the protect will be interpreted by the government as everyone is fit for work
    Your not dealing with a sane logical government don't forget
    As for the fund you do what's best sue :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. DPAC are doing a wonderful job and it is a deserving cause however DPAC are fundraising themselves and I will be donating a small amount. Sue my opinion is that you will need all the money you can get for your project.

    http://www.dpac.uk.net/2012/03/urgent-appeal-for-money-for-the-fighting-fund/

    ReplyDelete
  29. I think you need to follow what would be the case if you were a charitable organisation. Although the original purpose of the donations, the Spartacus Report, has been completed, funds left over should be used for its natural successor i.e. "We are Spartacus". An example is the PIP survey and susbsequent submission to the PIP Consultation.

    ReplyDelete
  30. If you feel confident in your ability to continue the Spartacus 'fights', then I say withhold (and appeal again yourself if necessary:-)) DPAC have launched their own fundraising call anyway. Also someone else has commented on possible funding from Unison.
    Whilst I agree with rallies/protests, I don't feel they succeeded in effecting much change itself. I DO believe your OWN efforts HAVE achieved a far greater impact and raised a much greater, evidence based, need for political/moral reform.

    ReplyDelete
  31. My gut reaction is yes, donate some of the fund to DPAC; I'm really grateful to the people who will be attending the protest despite their own physical challenges. Having read the comments here, I do see the other point of view as well..on balance, I suggest a donation, to be decided by Sue who will have seen all the opinions.

    ReplyDelete
  32. DPAC feel the money was raised on the premise of the spartcaus report which is a very different type of campaigning. and it might not be fair to people who donated the money in the first place. We also have plenty of funding now for April 18th but would like to thank Sue for the kind thought and all of you for your support.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DPAC - very glad to hear that you have enough funding now, and many many thanks for doing the demonstration.
      Good luck.

      Delete
  33. Freely we received then freely we should give...

    ReplyDelete
  34. I agree the money should be used to keep shouting about the cut effects, now we have the tax credits, housing benefit, ESA all bitting and it will only get worse in the next year or so. At least we can show the true effects not some goverment white wash of how well its is working. It would be different if Sparacuts people were going and maybe speaking at the event but sadly its not likely to make the news and at least you and the team are at least known to the media and can be heard better. If people want to dontate to the group they can still visit their pages cant they?

    ReplyDelete
  35. This looks to be resolved now. My first thought was to make a donation from the Spartacus reserve fund but I am persuaded by the comments expressed above that it's a different campaign, albeit working towards the same end.

    I do however think the more direct high profile action the better. Presumably the financial cost of participating in these events is an added deterrent on top of pain/exhaustion to individuals.

    It may ultimately be that the most bangs-for-bucks direct action will focus on fewer people doing something which catches media attention or forces politicians to engage rather than trying to get numbers up for awareness raising event.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've donated small amounts to both. I don't mind at all if some of the fighting fund goes to help DPAC. I can't make it myself, many of us can't and yet some of those disabled people were prepared to travel from Scotland to London to make our voices heard. It took a lot of guts and I'd imagine too many spoons to count. The last action made it onto the news and in the papers. It will give the cause publicity and a voice. Please do share some. Just hope they get a nice big banner on BBC News telling the world that over a thousand people have died after being found fit for work. These are people of working age and this is a national scandal. So much we need the public to see and hear right now. We can always top the fund up later if needed can't we?

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Sue.

    I respect your reasons for discontinuing the donation drive, but would it not be possible to reopen it (or something similar) for these occasions?

    There isn't really any other way of funding the work or aiding the costs of the people protesting against the government cuts to disability support as far as I'm aware.

    Best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you don't raise funds for very specific purposes, you can end up in awkward positions. Unless you have the organisational framework to operate in, of course, like a charity.

      Delete
  38. Hi Sue,
    I could not donate much to Spartacus, just £20- but I hope it helped. Back then I trusted you would choose the right way to use it and I still think that. You did ask for opinions though. At some point in the future there might not be enough time to appeal for more funds for you to make a visit that really counts or to ensure your own survival. I would put that strategic/health benefit against another demonstration the press and tv will either avoid or slant against us. You had my trust to do the right thing then and have it now for as long as you need it. Stay as well as you can.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I believe that funds could well be used to gather information and aid from a Solicitor type person who knows the law and could give (hopefully free) help and aid to fight this govt on human rights breaches against the disabled. This may seem a small amount when you talk about lawyers etc, but I reckon that a lawyer who is himself disabled would more thn likely consider any financial offer(as people would definitely offer more to pay for a court fight against Cameron) like The lawyer who has MS whose name is Mark Lewis. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/mark-lewis-my-ms-consultant-told-me-not-to-do-anything-stressful--so-i-went-after-murdochs-phonehackers-6370688.html
    mark.lewis@thlaw.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  40. [QUOTE]I believe that funds could well be used to gather information and aid from a Solicitor type person who knows the law and could give (hopefully free) help and aid to fight this govt on human rights breaches against the disabled. This may seem a small amount when you talk about lawyers etc, but I reckon that a lawyer who is himself disabled would more thn likely consider any financial offer(as people would definitely offer more to pay for a court fight against Cameron) like The lawyer who has MS whose name is Mark Lewis. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/mark-lewis-my-ms-consultant-told-me-not-to-do-anything-stressful--so-i-went-after-murdochs-phonehackers-6370688.html
    mark.lewis@thlaw.co.uk[/QUOTE]

    I have stated this many times before there are no lawyers according to the law society that have the knowledge or expertise to deal with DWP queries or to take a court action against the government

    had their been we would not be in this mess in the first place

    ReplyDelete
  41. How about giving £100 to help with travel costs, but retaining the rest to help towards fighting the horrors of PIP.

    ReplyDelete
  42. **I have stated this many times before there are no lawyers according to the law society that have the knowledge or expertise to deal with DWP queries or to take a court action against the government

    had their been we would not be in this mess in the first place
    **

    I believe thee is always someone - You just hafta find them. If I believed there was no hope - May as well top myself now

    ReplyDelete
  43. And I have also stated before:

    http://www.dls.org.uk/

    Disability Law charity.

    I commented before but computer is sloooooooow in the country. Namely, my feelings are protests do less than nothing these days. If the government could ignore half a million people marching against the WRB, a handful of crips isn't going to mean much. May as well flush the money down the loo.

    I would suggest keeping the money - as you ran yourself ragged, Sue, doing Spartacus Report, we could all see it, and any protests to the contrary is just your own version of "I'm all right, Jack". You may need the emergency funding for more trips to London or emergency hospital visits and I think you've earned the fall back option

    ReplyDelete