Medact

Demonstration: Stop US nukes coming to Lakenheath!
2023-05-20 13:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | RAF Lakenheath, Brandon Road, Lakenheath, Suffolk, IP27 9PS, United Kingdom
Earlier this year, it came to light that US nuclear weapons may once again be stationed at the military base RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England.
In the 1950’s and 60’s, US nuclear weapons at RAF Lakenheath were involved in two serious accidents that could have led to their detonation. If this had come to pass, in the words of one senior US official at the time, it could have led to “a part of Eastern England […] becom[ing] a desert”.
Our friends at Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) have called a second demonstration at RAF Lakenheath on Saturday 20th May from 1pm.
CND is organising transport from:

London: book your coach ticket here
Cambridge: email cambridgestopwar@googlemail.com
Brandon station: email sue.wright44@icloud.com to book your place
Norwich: email sue.wright44@icloud.com to book your place

Email information@cnduk.org for further information. If you’re driving to the protest, please park at the RAF Lakenheath viewing area, where a shuttle will then take you to the main gate
If you want to travel and/or attend with other Medact members, email office@medact.org

Don’t Bank on the Bomb Scotland Day of Action
2023-06-30 12:00 - 13:00
Don’t Bank on the Bomb Scotland is a network of organisations campaigning for Scottish financial institutions and public bodies to divest from the companies that are involved in the production and development of nuclear weapons. The network is organising a Day of Action on Friday June 30th.

This Day of Action will be focussed on keeping up the pressure on the Royal Bank of Scotland to end its support for companies involved in the production and development of nuclear weapons.

It was reported that in January 2021, the NatWest group—which is RBS is a part—had 2.3 billion pounds in outstanding loans or underwriting activities in seven companies heavily involved in the nuclear weapons industry.

You can organise a stall or protest outside your local branch, or come down to planned stalls in Glasgow (Royal Bank of Scotland, Gordon Street) or Edinburgh (Royal Bank of Scotland, Nicholson Square). Both are running from 12noon to 1pm. Anyone is welcome to come along, even for a short time, to hold a placard or help put out hand leaflets!

If you’d like more information, support in setting up a stall or to receive leaflets, email Arthur West of DBoTBS.

Migrant Justice Bloc at the Conservative Party Conference
2023-10-01 12:15 - 16:00
Say NO to the Hostile Environment and NO to racist scapegoating

Join Greater Manchester Patients Not Passports and the migrant justice bloc at the national demonstration and march to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

Through Hostile Environment immigration controls, the Government tries to bring the border into our neighbourhoods, our workplaces, our homes and our communities. But wherever these racist policies intrude on our lives, we see resistance – from Kenmure street, to the Portland docks, to the doorstep of Home Office reporting centres, it is through these powerful acts of collective resistance that we are fighting back against the hostile environment.

Join us in Manchester and make sure that they know we will fight every part of the hostile immigration system!

Let Greater Manchester Patients Not Passports know you’re coming – drop them an email at gmcrpnp@gmail.com.

March details

When/where: 12:15pm Sunday 1st October, Manchester

Meeting point: Oxford Road (Whitworth Park side) at the junction with Hathersage Road opposite St Mary’s Hospital (M14 4PW) at 12:15 p.m.

Main March Starts From: Outside the Manchester Museum (M13 9PL) at 1 p.m. We plan to join the Migrants Rights bloc in the main march – details to follow.

March length: the march will travel from the Manchester Museum to Castlefield Bowl, approx. 1.4 miles, where there will be a rally and speakers.

Remember: wear sturdy shoes and warm clothes and bring snacks, water and a fully charged phone.If you’d like to buddy with someone else coming on the demo, or you just want to have a chat beforehand, let us know at gmcrpnp@gmail.com

Health workers at Stop Rosebank, Glasgow
2023-10-07 11:45 - 13:00
The UK Government has just approved the Rosebank oil field.

As healthcare students and health workers, this directly matters to us. Join us on Saturday October 7th to show that the health community will not stand for new gas and oil. The protest starts at noon, and we will be meeting at 11.45 outside Queen’s Street station.

Please feel free to come in scrubs/stethoscopes, and create placards relevant to the climate crisis as a health crisis.

The WHO has forecast that without immediate and effective action, climate change will cause 250,000 additional deaths each year between 2030 and 2050 alone. Just like COVID-19, it is those with the least that are being affected the most by the climate crisis.

As direct witnesses to the health crises we face, we must take action to show that this destruction is not inevitable. There is no planetary health without human health, and wherever you work in healthcare, whatever your role in speciality, it will impact us and our patients.

People right across the UK want a reliable, affordable energy supply, not more oil and gas that puts all our futures at risk. Join this protest to pressure the UK to reverse their decision, and use every tool we can to delay and eventually stop this field.

Email Marina if you want to get in touch before Saturday.

Stop the war on Gaza! Health Blocs at national demonstrations for Palestine
2023-10-21 00:00 - 23:59
Join other health workers marching on Friday 20th October and Saturday October 21st to stand in solidarity with Palestine and call for an immediate ceasefire.

This week has seen horrific attacks and human rights abuses as Israel’s bombardment of Gaza intensifies, following Hamas’ attack and kidnapping of Israeli citizens on Saturday 7th October.

Upward of three thousand Palestinian civilians have been killed, with sources estimating almost half of fatalities being women and children, and many thousands more injured and without access to water, food or fuel.

Gaza’s already under-resourced health system is under intense pressure with hospitals coming under fire, overcrowding leaving patients suffering on the floor, and a severe lack of essential equipment. We know health workers themselves are also among the fatalities of targeted attacks on hospitals.

Health workers must take a stand against the violence and against the targeting of health infrastructure in clear breach of international law. It is vital that we come together to show the UK government that it must end its complicity and do all it can to bring about a ceasefire!

Know your rights: Read this information from Netpol on marching.

Find details for how to get involved in the health-worker blocs below. These health blocs have been coordinated by health workers in the movement for health justice.

If you are interested in organising a health workers bloc at a solidarity demonstration near you, in a location not listed below, get in touch: office@medact.org!

London

We’ll be joining a health workers bloc at the National March for Palestine – Stop the War on Gaza!

When: 11:30am, to join the main demonstration at 12:00pm

Where: Marble Arch Fountains, Marble Arch, London – (map)

Wear: If you feel comfortable, wear things that identify you as a health worker, scrubs, stethoscope etc. The current forecast is cold and clear so dress warmly.

Remember: wear sturdy shoes and bring snacks, water and a fully charged phone.

Join the WhatsApp broadcast group:

Join group 1 (this group is now full!)

Join group 2 (use this one if you can’t join 1!)

If you’d like to buddy with someone else coming on the demo, or you just want to have a chat beforehand, let us know at jamesskinner@medact.org.

Sheffield

When: Saturday 21st Oct, 12pm

Where: Sheffield City Hall, S1 2JA

Point of contact: Jordi – jordilopezbotey@medact.org (get in touch to join the WhatsApp group!)

North East

When: Saturday 21st Oct, 12pm

Where: BBC Newcastle Broadcasting House, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4NS

Point of contact: Kate – katebernard@medact.org (get in touch to join the WhatsApp group!)

Glasgow

When: Saturday 21st Oct, 2pm

Where: Buchanan Steps, 229 Buchanan St, Glasgow, G1 2NG

Point of contact: Marina – marina.politis@gmail.com (get in touch to join the WhatsApp group!)

Leeds

When: Saturday 21st Oct, meet at 12pm

Where: JD Sports Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6HFMarch at 12.30 to BCC Yorkshire, St Peter’s Square, Leeds, LS9 8AH

Point of contact: Emily – Escott.emilyj@gmail.com (get in touch to join the WhatsApp group!)

Medact Bloc @ No More Austerity 2.0 Demonstration
2025-06-07 11:30 - 17:00 | Portland Place
Medact is going to the upcoming demo – No More Austerity 2.0! Amidst rising living costs and growing pressure on overstretched public services, the Government is making sweeping cuts to welfare, winter fuel payments, and adult social care in order to fund increased military spending.

Together, we’re demanding welfare, not warfare – join us!

11.30am – Assemble

12pm – March!

Organised by The People’s Assembly, this national demonstration makes three main demands:

No to Austerity 2.0 – Fund our public services.

Tax the Rich – Empower workers, not big business.

Welfare, not Warfare – Stop attacks on disabled people.

If you’re new to Medact, it’ll be a great way to meet people already involved and get connected with a campaign group. We’ll have a banner and placards, and we’ll march together from Portland Place to Whitehall. Remember to wear sturdy shoes, bring snacks, water, warm clothes, and a fully charged phone.

Make sure you register below to get details nearer the time, including a link to join an optional WhatsApp Group to stay in touch with the bloc on the day!

If you want to make banners and hang out with us beforehand, come to our banner and placard making session on Thursday 29th May, 6–8pm in Medact’s London office (Bethnal Green). Indicate you’d like to join us for this in the form below! If you have any questions or concerns ahead of the day – you can email our Movement Organiser, Cal – calumbarnes@medact.org.

Medact Bloc @ Shut DSEI Down
2025-09-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Excel Centre, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, E16 1XL, United Kingdom
Medact is going to the upcoming demo – Shut DSEI Down!

What is DSEI?

One of the world’s largest arms fairs, Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), will be back at London’s ExCeL Centre from Tuesday 9 September to Friday 12 September 2025. Stop the Arms Fair organises a programme of events, actions and mobilisations before and during DSEI.

Medact are mobilising on Tuesday 9th September – alongside Health Workers for a Free Palestine UK, and 100 other campaign groups and organisations – to add our voice to a broad coalition of organisations and groups standing firmly against: DSEI, the arms industry, and the UK government’s egregious role in upholding the military-industrial complex, fuelling war and genocide.

How to join us!

Register to join us so we know you’re coming! Members of the Medact staff team will be present (spot our banner!) and you can join this announcement-only WhatsApp group ahead of time to receive updates in the run up about precise arrival time and meeting points!

Welfare

Police presence is almost certain at this mobilisation. This may feel worrying, especially if it’s your first time at a demonstration like this. We highly recommend staying together as a group, and following the advice of Medact staff present to ensure against any unwanted encounters with the police.

Remember, taking action together can be a joyous, powerful and affirming thing to do! And if you’re new to Medact, it’ll be a great way to meet people already involved.

We recommend wearing sturdy shoes, bringing snacks, water, warm waterproof clothes, and a fully charged phone. If you have any questions or concerns ahead of the day – you can email our Peace and Security Campaign Lead, Sarah – sarahlasoye@medact.org, or office@medact.org.
