VOA标准英语2013--Protesters Join Funeral of Former British Prime Minister

 

Protesters Join Funeral of Former British Prime Minister

As the funeral procession made its way to the cathedral, opponents of Thatcher¹ lined the route...

Turning their backs on her coffin² as it made its way through central London.

They chanted “waste of money” in protest at the millions of dollars spent on Wednesday’s funeral and waved anti-Thatcher signs.

While in power, Thatcher became an enemy of many on the left. A Conservative prime minister, she pursued privatization and deregulation, cut taxes on the rich and attacked trade unions.

On Wednesday, her opponents said they had not forgiven her.

“It’s a mark of not wanting to be involved in the pageantry really and the celebration of her life - because I don’t think it was a life to celebrate," said one woman.

“I’m here and I’m so happy today that she’s dead," said a man.

Wednesday was not the first protest since Thatcher’s death.

On Saturday, her opponents poured into London’s Trafalgar Square to “celebrate.”

They said they were protesting against her politics and the legacy³ they say she’s left behind - rising inequality and high costs of living in Britain.

Many Britons have been critical of those “celebrating” - but Thatcher’s opponents they say it’s a good chance to address divisions in British society.

A man handing out pamphlets Wednesday for a talk on Thatcher’s legacy said, “Britain is still a very divided society. She’s probably one of the most controversial prime ministers. So hopefully by having this protest and by raising the issue and showing there’s an alternative people will begin to tackle her legacy.”

Thatcher’s death, he hopes, will ignite fresh debate about Britain’s future.

1 thatcher   

n.茅屋匠

参考例句：

• Tom Sawyer was in the skiff that bore Judge Thatcher. 汤姆 - 索亚和撒切尔法官同乘一条小艇。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
• Mrs. Thatcher was almost crazed; and Aunt Polly, also. 撒切尔夫人几乎神经失常，还有波莉姨妈也是。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

2 coffin   

n.棺材，灵柩

参考例句：

• When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。
• The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。

3 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。