New Jarrow Marchers mirror historic crusade

JOB creation campaigners re- enacting the historic Jarrow March said yesterday’s figures justified their action to highlight youth unemployment.

Paul Callanan, from London, said: “These figures don’t tell the full story. There are more than a million young people out of work and it’s a disgrace.

“This is why we’re doing what we’re doing. This is why we’re getting the support we are getting.”

Mr Callanan said about 20 people – mainly unemployed and students – were aiming to walk whe whole way from Tyneside to London, with hundreds more joining for rallies and protests along the way.

They are planning to finish in London with a demonstration on 5 November.

About 200 men marched from Jarrow to London in October 1936 to protest against the unemployment and extreme poverty suffered in north-east England.

Their MP, Ellen Wilkinson, known as “Red Ellen”, walked with them. The marchers were selected carefully, with only fit men being allowed to participate. Many of the men marched in army style, walking for 50 minutes before a ten-minute break, and held blue and white banners.