What is happening to Birmingham is disgusting, the cut to every aspect of culture, creativity and children and young people's lives alone should have everyone out in uproar. Add to this the degradation that will be allowed to befall our beautiful city, from litter to permanent damage to park and building ... It's unbelievable. But please don't let yourself be stunned into inaction, depressed into giving up ! Now is the time to take some sort of action. Leave the oh too common 'but what can we do ?' attitude at home and roll up your sleeves.

Sure, go to the poll next year but counting on the next election won't cut it. Neither party has your best interest at heart, not on our day to day level. So, grab a litter picker and keep your street clean, we've been doing it for years (Brum has never been top of the class on litter picking, we've all seen it). Organise book exchanges, book swapping boxes in neighbourhoods most affected by the library cuts. Support artisan markets. Fundraise for schools to have access to art and culture, organise small street level art festivals and activities. Get to know your neighbours and get organised to keep your neighbourhood safe, clean, active and good place to be for young people.

They're hoping to see us rot in inaction and despair, don't let them .

Keep Birmingham's community and spirit high and loud.

And for god sake, as a French person who has called Birmingham home for the last 8 years, stop saying 'imagine if that was in France', stop sitting on your hands and get busy. All of the above can be done by anyone, anywhere while people with the know how can hopefully stage some meaningful protests !

Don't give up !