Events, nightlife and music industries to protest coronavirus restrictions this weekend

The events, nightlife and music industries have come together to arrange the #freedomtodance march this weekend, organised by Save Our Scene UK.

The march will depart at 12pm on Sunday (27 June) from Marble Arch, making its way to Parliament, with DJ sets from the likes of Alan Fitzpatrick, Eats Everything and East End Dubs.

The march is in protest against the extension of coronavirus restrictions until 19 July and its impact on industries including events and nightlife, whose businesses have been restricted or unable to open for over a year.

George Fleming, the founder of Save Our Scene UK, said: “While it’s great to see waves of football fans partying in London, it really asks us a question, why is the music industry still being suffocated by the government? We have proven that we can open responsibly, and 58,000 people took part in the pilot events, of which only 15 people tested positive (five of which were home related). This has proven the industry can successfully carry out safe events without adding to the spread of the virus.

“We are protesting this week to tell the government that enough is enough and we will not stay silent any longer. Too many jobs have been lost and the damage has become irreversible. Around 10,000 licensed venues have already closed permanently and over 400,000 live events staff have lost their jobs. Our message to the government is if they delay any further, we will be on the streets protesting daily. We cannot afford to wait any longer.”

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night-Time Industries Association, added: “The government has consistently marginalised our sector, we have had to fight for every bit of support and engagement throughout the pandemic. We have been continually targeted by the government and excluded within every announcement. Our Industry is recognised and valued across the world, yet undervalued by our own government. It’s time to push back and show the power of electronic music and the night-time economy through its greatest asset, its people.”