Legal aid campaigners have been touring the streets of the Capital in black cabs to gather a unique voicemail petition of public support.
The Sound Off for Justice campaign converted three iconic London taxi cabs into mobile protest vehicles with “sound-off” booths, which were touring zones 1 and 2 for five days this week.
Londoners boarding the cabs were able to leave voicemail messages for Ken Clarke, the justice secretary. Clarke was due to address the House of Lords on the reforms this week, and to appear on the BBC’s Question Time.
The event, backed by actress Joanna Lumley and human rights campaigner Bianca Jagger, aims to raise awareness about the proposed £350m cuts to family and civil law and the impact they will have on ordinary people’s lives.
The specially adapted taxis are equipped with iPhone 4s and iPads, and the campaigners propose alternative reforms that would save more money.
The taxis carried the distinctive Sound Off For Justice logo of Lady Justice armed with a megaphone, and the campaign’s colours of red, black and white. A concierge accompanied the cabs, informing passengers on how to use the electronic equipment and join the online petition.
Jagger said: “What is the purpose of having rights if you can’t enforce the law?”
Linda Lee, president of the Law Society, said: “The Ministry of Justice estimate that if they make these cuts 70,000 Londoners alone will be excluded.
“The taxis are a great way of allowing members of the public to join our campaign and to express their views on the planned cuts. Many people have told me of the difference that legal aid made to their lives and I hope they will share their experiences.”
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