MPs, celebrities and trade union figures gathered in a stirring rally at St George's Hall to tell the government "enough is enough", over the cost of living crisis.
Enough is Enough came to Liverpool's St George's Hall where a crowd of around 1,000 strong gathered to campaign against the current crisis. The fast-moving campaign's mission statement demands "fair pay, affordable bills, enough to eat and a decent place to live. These aren't luxuries - they are your rights".
The group, which has gained around 500,000 supporters since it was officially launched three weeks ago, said it is determined to "push back against the misery forced on millions". The campaign was launched at a rally at the Clapham Grand in London on August 17 before appearing in Manchester on August 30.
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The event at Liverpool's St George's Hall saw speakers including MPs Ian Byrne and Zarah Sultana, RMT's Eddie Dempsey and MMA star Molly McCann. Speaking to the ECHO, Mr Byrne said the campaign, first planned around five months ago, is pushing for "five basic demands that we should have in a fair society".
The West Derby MP said: "The campaign has captured the public mood. What we're seeing now is no one is free from the grip of poverty. Everyone now is feeling it. We're seeing professional people using foodbanks, otherwise they can't afford to pay their bills - it's heartbreaking.
"The message to the government is quite simple. It's frightening at the moment and the message we're getting from the government is nowhere near enough. Politics needs to catch up with what's happening in our communities really quickly."
Mr Byrne used his message at the start of the rally to pay tribute to Olivia Pratt-Korbel who was shot dead in her own home in Dovecot last week. A moving minute's applause rang around St George's Hall for the nine-year-old gun victim.
The Enough is Enough campaign has been supported by various trade union groups including Communication Workers' Union and National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, as well as community activist groups such as ACORN, Fans Supporting Foodbanks and Right to Food Campaign.
Ms Sultana, MP for Coventry South, told the ECHO the community organisations have helped shape the national campaign. She said: "Our demands aren't radical. Enough is Enough is popular because we're talking to people and have real community organisations shaping our campaign.
"We're not telling communities, they're with us and developing the policy. Ian and I see our jobs as advancing the cause of working people. We take that incredible seriously."
Ms Sultana used her platform to criticise the "12 years of Tory austerity and the huge shift of wealth and power to a small group of people". She also expressed a love for Liverpool which started when her great uncle came to England.
She said: "I have a longstanding affinity with Liverpool. My uncle came to Liverpool on a ship and settled here so I have a deep personal link - and also a football link as I was bought up to support Liverpool FC. But I also feel politically at home here. I love Liverpool."
Over the course of the night various speakers took to the stage roared on by a crowd bearing placards and wearing tee-shirts with the 'Enough is Enough' slogan. Molly McCann, a UFC star who has gained significant following for her skill in the ring as well as her political stance, told the ECHO how proud she feels speaking for the city.
Ms McCann told the ECHO: "Being from Liverpool you always back a strike, never cross a picket line and always stand up to be counted. I believe now is the time to help as I have the platform to unite, cross generations and get the message out there. People need a voice in times of anguish like this. It's really powerful and special to be here.
"The message to the government is enough is enough. We can't have the cost of living continue to rise while wages stay the same. The people can't keep this country going if they aren't being paid enough to survive.
"The government can't empathise with the message but as long as people keep holding them to account we'll get them out. It's a slow process but we need to keep the momentum going."
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