Aug 292012
 

Reposted with kind permission from The Void

 

A well attended and genuinely moving memorial service was held today outside the front doors of Paralympic sponsor Atos to coincide with the opening day of the London Paralympic Games.

Atos carry out the Government’s Work Capability Assessment, a crude computer health test designed to strip disabled people of benefits by declaring them ‘fit for work’.

Disabled people and those with serious health conditions have been subject to endless grueling assessments by the company and an increasing number of people have tragically taken their own lives as a result of the process. Many others have had conditions worsened due to the stress of testing regime whilst a recent investigation found that 32 people a week die after being found ‘fit for work by the company’.

Around 100 disabled people and supporters gathered outside Atos’ gleaming London Headquarters to attend the service.  A coffin, resplendent with white lilies to remember the dead, was carried to the front door of the company alongside funereal music.  Messages sent from disabled people around the UK were released attached to black balloons whilst a minutes silence was held during which even the heavy security presence guarding the company appeared to respect.

The day was part of a week of action against the company which has seen protests outside Atos offices around the UK.  Visit the DPAC website for reports of other events held so far. Campaigners will be back at Atos HQ on Friday when Disabled People Against Cuts team up with UK Uncut for the Closing Atos Ceremony.  Gather at Triton Square, Euston from 12.45pm on Friday 31st August.

Tomorrow sees a day of online and telephone action targeting the company, more info at:  https://www.dpac.uk.net/2012/08/dpac-atos-armchair-games-30th-august-the-truth-is-revolutionary/

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  5 Responses to “Remembering Those Who’ve Died at the Hands of Atos ‘Healthcare’”

  1. Paralympic athletes should wear a black arm band in memory of the sick and disabled who have died because of Atos.
    I can see the newspaper headline now….
    ” I won medals for Britain, now Atos has stopped my benefits.” Well don`t say you werren`t warned.

  2. 100 people a week???

    I cried reading that.

    Our government and the people in it should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. They have blood on their hands.

  3. Unless you can earn their taxes, fight in their wars and help maintain the consumerist, wage-slave status quo, the UK government just don’t care about you.

  4. WE ARE NOT SAFE

    Let the Games begin

    When I am ill I look for a place of safety

    There is nowhere to hide

    WE ARE NOT SAFE

    A TRIUMPH FOR IDEOLOGY OVER HUMANITY

    • They shall not triumph, nor shall they taste the victory of vile ideology and greed over the good of those who are stronger than those who harm shall ever be.
      Their time will come, and when they are removed from office, the crimes they have committed will be remembered and they will face justice for their deeds.

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