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How was Mayday for you?

  
 
invisible_al
21:08 / 01.05.02
Well wasn't able to meet up with the Barbelith posse, how did that all turn out?

I met up with some people I know in Hyde Park and watched the Critcal mass lot go round mayfair complete with jogging coppers and police motorcyclist outriders. Damm gotta get on a bike again, wonder if it's easier on the feet than walking?

But we met up with the mayfair marchers and just kept moving and making noise, not as many drummers or the like in this march as I remember from Mayday in parliment square but did they turn up at the Carnival in Soho?

The whole thing was remarkably chilled, the diffuse protest tactics worked to stop people from being Section 60'd but with the problem that we had trouble finding other people after we heard a rumour that the police had blocked off picadilly circus (think this was actually a sit down from protestors). We ended up at trafalgar square which was packed out, saw someoe here with a huge Adbusters US flag, looked very cool standing on a statue.

Anyone involved in the Soho stuff? BBC and www.indymedia.co.uk are saying it got quite a bit hairier from 5pm onwards, possible section 60 (will the police learn after the court cases?)

General feel, very fluffy but not quite as much going on as some years previously, the parliment square mayday (2000?) had lots more banners, constumes and seemed to be a bit more energentic. But that could be just because things were a bit spread out. It was a great feeling though wandering through london, playing football and stopping traffic, we managed to shut down mayfair, park lane, oxford street and it looks like soho as well for most of the day.

Only bit of trouble I saw was one masked up guy who had got separated from his mates being stopped, searched and photographed (Which once again they're not allowed to do), seemed to be the police tactic get as many photos of people as possible for future intelligence. But the legal observers were about and people bundled round to 'observe'.

Btw anyone see Channel 4 with the two guests they'd dragged in, one guy who was promoting his new 'capitalism it's great' book and a media whore from Globalise Resistance (that lovable socialist worker front) talking crap. I mean the GR bloke claiming the anti-capitalist marchers were all with the TUC demo, naughty naughty. Perhaps they're annoyed that they had nothing to do with the mayafair protest at all (saw no banners and very few placards). *grumble* But it was nice to see the police getting a bit of a hard time for hyping the violence aspect up and getting a grand total of 14 arrests (as of 9pm ish). Whats that £100,000 per arrest?
 
 
gozer the destructor
22:17 / 01.05.02
Just to let everybody know that the barbelith demo went really well and at the time that I left (about 6 o'clock) people were taking pictures of the Placards that had been created by the 'liths that took part but also by people that we encouraged on the streets to write their own personal 'statement' or whatever they wanted to say...there were some very funny moments/placrards and particular mention has to go to Lyra for the energy that he showed for the entire event, we succesfuly created our own temporary autonomous zone, thanks to everyone who took part and brought picnic/tea-party stuff, we made a great point and everyone contributed, totally united within our own personal opinions, and a great time was had by all,

let me know when the photos come out...
 
 
Less searchable M0rd4nt
22:46 / 01.05.02
Sorry- posted in wrong thread. Moving it to the Gathering.
 
 
m. anthony bro
23:20 / 01.05.02
I saw the coverage of London's Mayday on Sky News, and it was appalling. They made out like the protesters were all drunks and attention seekers. They talked a lot to people in the police, and did interview some very clean cut looking protesters, but I'd still put money on whether or not they were actors.
They had the skycopter out, scooting around London, looking for stuff of interest. They found a huge police barracade, and talked about how it was keeping the protesters away, and so they'd bollocks on about how brave and handsome the policemen all were, and then they masturbated over a picture of the Home Secretary.
Man, I am so going next year.
 
 
We're The Great Old Ones Now
08:37 / 02.05.02
How interesting. The BBC news coverage emphasised that the protests were really civilised and everyone was cool except a small group.
 
 
Morlock - groupie for hire
08:38 / 02.05.02
Read some of the threads here during the day, and feeling somewhat chastised for not making any kind of contribution, figured the least I could do was to cycle round for a while after work, see some of it for myself, especially after hearing the rumour (news?) about a whole buch of protesters corralled into Trafalgar square.

Following my nose and the helicopters, end up in Old Compton Street...just as the police decide to clear it. I'm about 100 yards in, pushing my bike along, when suddenly the whole fucking crowd turns around and starts running past me. Just catch sight of the line of riot police herding them along (dunno what spooked everyone, but they didn't seem in much of a hurry) before deciding a tactical retreat might be in order. Everybody calmed down pretty quick, but still, scared the crap out of me for a second.

Turn the corner (Wardour st?), spot a crowd up ahead. Everybody dancing, chucking beachballs around and generally having a great time. Spend five minutes or so soaking up the good vibes, until I notice 6-8 policemen trapping a guy up against the wall. The guy had half his face covered and I'd seen some similar scenes before so only kept half an eye on it. Eventually they decide to wrestle the guy to the ground and cuff him (one of the 14, I guess). Calls go out for photographers, legal observers jump in, the people around me start to crystallise around the scene, but all in all efficient and fairly controlled.

Then some fucking yahoo (right from the edge of the crowd, of course, lots of escape routes) chucks a bottle at the police, followed by one or two more. There's one guy circling the crowd and just hollering, not actually saying anything just making angry noises. The police draw batons (can't say I blame them), crowd draws closer, and I wander off again just as three vans worth of riot police turn up. Depressed, I head to Trafalgar Square (empty by then) and home.

Mixed feelings, basically. Glad to see so many people with the right idea, glad the overall media image seems to reflect this so that the whole thing gets some credibility, but sad that the whole thing can be twisted so easily by little shits like that. The street party was on the other side of the police when things turned nasty, 200 yards away or so. Hope they managed to keep going.

Hrrrm. This is probably old news to most of you, but it was a first for me, just wanted to write it down while the memory's fresh. Good to hear the Barbe-demo went well. Maybe I'll join you next time.
 
 
rizla mission
11:05 / 02.05.02
it was bloody fantastic - no time to say more today.
 
 
STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK
16:37 / 02.05.02
Yeah, it was nice- really chilled. Highlights- the kitten placards (obviously! that was just genius), Deva's "Blake's 7 fans for freedom of movement against Central Control" placard, and the lovely man who threw open his windows and started blasting out "All You Need Is Love" just when it looked like the cops were going to start getting aggro. He's my new hero.
Very busy day today- will come back with more details tomorrow when I've got some time.
 
 
Naked Flame
16:45 / 02.05.02
I had a good one- got out of work just after 1, blended in with the free-roaming Soho/Mayfair beachballs and bicycles crowd and whooped and hollered, then repaired to the British Library for tea and cakes before hooking up with the Barbelith 'Kittens Against Badness' mob, which I have to say was a fucking fabulous idea, even if I can't explain exactly why.

It's a shame that a couple of hundred drunken fuckwits allowed the Mail and Sky to brand us all violent anarchists. A big shame. But I think some very positive stuff still came out of the day, not least the new alliance between the trade unions and the Globalise Resitance mob- several union leaders were full of praise for the protestors. That's got to help get things back to the issues and shift the focus from the teeny and tiny-brained minority who insist on trying to fuck it up.

coming back to my dronejob today was hard, though.
 
 
Bill Posters
18:38 / 02.05.02
Time's limited, but a few points. Yeah, my Mayday was most excellent. Great to see/meet everyone, and thanks to everyone involved. (And sorry, Lyra, I forgot to give you a donation. Remind me next time.)

From what I've seen the media coverage has been surprisingly positive, though I'm not sure what to make of Guy Taylor's piece in The Independent.

Sounds like you had more trouble than we did Morlock, though we were pushed back down Frith Street at one point when a guy had a go at a line of robocops.

My main feeling now is one of utter confusion regarding what happened in Soho. Indymedia's line is 'those wicked riot cops cordoned our carnival', whereas a report like Morlock's above suggests that the cops reacted rather than acted. And they may have been reacting to violence outside Soho, of which there's no mention on Indymedia. There's also a confusion about what the cordon was - Urban75's legal advice says it's not Section 60, but that's how Indymedia are referring to it. I do know that police were filming as well as searching suspects as they let them go from the cordon cos I saw it, and that's not legal. And the police got arsey with me for taking photos of what was happening, which is interesting in itself.

Oh and I'm curious to know what actual property damage occurred.
 
 
captain piss
20:38 / 02.05.02
Yeah, my own observations don't add anything new to Morlock, Flame and Bill's regarding the relative proportions of well-intentioned-protestors/unbridled-fuckbakes (shit, I'm starting to get too into that word). There's always a few, as they say..

But a great day was had- I must say, the more I think about it- the whole fluffy/have-your-say idea was excellent. Particular credit goes to Lyra - who I walked behind for about 1/2hour and witnessed approaching everyone from schoolgirls to business guys and nutty/druggy types, with only a disarming smile and mischevious glint in his eye separating him from an embarrassing-blanking (or even less welcome punch in the face). Reactions varied from glassy-eyed indifference, people being a bit shaken by the oddness of it, and slowly smiling enthusiasm and amusement.
I'd really like to have been carrying a hidden camera -it was a fascinating angle to look at the city from, and enough funny and cool exchanges with people that I'll be quietly chuckling at the memories for a while to come.
 
 
rizla mission
12:23 / 03.05.02
Disaster! None of my photos have come out .. for SOME FUCKING REASON, the film in the camera only had about TEN EXPOSURES on it, but acted like it had 36 .. passersby on Leicester high street shocked by young man outside Boots bellowing "FUCK!" and threatening to hurl camera at passing cars.. so if anyone else got cool shots, I'll pay yr. for some prints..

That was one of the best days ever though for all the reasons above and more .. let's do it next year, only more so..
 
 
The Natural Way
12:39 / 03.05.02
I spent May Day in the office w/ all my co-workers prattling on about "Dole Bludgers", "Bloody hippies" and "Druggies". Which was fun.

My sister's mate was cracked round the head by a police man w/ a truncheon. She's only 19. While the Daily Mail/Evening Standard/Sun axis of evil bang on about "Softly, softly, dance on drugs..." and continue to lie about England and what it means to be british in the 21st century, children are getting assaulted by big strong men w/ weapons. It. Fucking. Sucks.
 
 
lentil
13:21 / 03.05.02
Yeah , i have nothing to add to what's been said already but thought I should chip in with my equally unbridled enthusiasm for the day's activities, how much i enjoyed meeting everyone, and a big shout out to the man like Lyra. Heee - Ro!
 
 
Bear
13:33 / 03.05.02
Glad everyone had a cool time, I just hope that none have you had a little look inside the Sun today, I'm looking through it now and they have a piece on anarchist fashion - I kid you not - starts like this -

"Anarchists have a reputation for dodging soap, dressing in rags and leading mangy dogs around on bits of string. But now there is a new style of rebel - Crusty Crumpuet."

I thought I would have heard Barbe-screams by now...but I'm guessing of you read the sun
 
 
The Natural Way
14:01 / 03.05.02
And I really like you, bear, and wish you wouldn't.

I mean, I'm 90% sure that most of the people I work w/ (who horrified me w/ their bigotry on Wed) get most of their "opinions" from the tabloid press. It was like the Mail was being quoted verbatim. These papers foster really fucking lazy thinking, perpetuate all kinds of horrid myths about this country, and create a general background atmosphere of us vs them - I fucking hate them.
 
 
Bill Posters
14:14 / 03.05.02
Crusty Crumpet?

*head in hands*

I mean we were joking about how The Sun might conceptualise a female anarchist on the 'Beeeeeautiful Timing' thread. One of the scariest things in life is when you realise that your idea of the ludicrous is actually someone else's idea of reality, and that there's more of them than there are of you.
 
 
Bear
14:14 / 03.05.02
The last word in the quote was meant to be Crumpet if you hadn't guessed...

Its worse than just that Runce, it gives you instructions on how to dress as an anarchist, fashion tips.
 
 
Bill Posters
14:42 / 03.05.02
A sickening mixture of recuperation and sexism if ever I saw one. Mind you, I guess it had to go the way of punk eventually. And I do remember a fashion show where the models carried cans of Special Brew as they strutted the catwalks. Oooh how superlatively outre dahling etc etc. I think it's definately time we followed the suggestion which is somewhere in Indymedia right now that we should all wear pin-stripe suits at the next demo.
 
 
Bill Posters
14:58 / 03.05.02
It's just here.
 
 
Bill Posters
15:07 / 03.05.02
And their site is well-worth checking out, 'cos it's a. hilarious and b. not a million miles off what we did at our tea party on wednesday.

Just click here and it's chocks away chaps!
 
 
grant
16:02 / 03.05.02
YES!
I've been wanting protesters in business attire for *years*!
That's the way to screw with expectations!
"Not Cricket!" Excellent!!
 
 
Baz Auckland
21:54 / 03.05.02
Correction:

THIS is apparently what an Anarchist Leader looks like:

  
 
Knight's Move
15:00 / 04.05.02
Blast. I've already been doing that. Suits at demos and clubs are the way foward I decided sometime ago. There's nothing for accidentally revealing the prejudices of people from this side of the law like sitting in a room full of Crusties, Hippies, Crazies, etc. dressed in a suit, watching someone who doesn't know me think "Why is he here?" (In the same way they would be looked at in an office) and then smoking a bong, or expressing views that match theirs and seeing them forced to re-evaluate just how liberal they actually are. Not that I can say to have come up with it, William S. Burroughs was hanging around beats and hippies, and getting tear gassed at demos dressed in imacculate three piece and fedora way back.

Well done to everyone who was flying the Barbelith flag on Wednesday, I'll make sure I make it for the next one. In jacket and Cambridge city tie, of course.
 
 
Bill Posters
15:11 / 04.05.02
Well, we were flying the Barbelith flag, or rather waving the Barbelith banner, until Lyra attached it to one of the lions in Traf Square. Then a policeman walked up, ripped it down and tore it apart! Why, if I wasn't an anarchosocialist I'd do him for criminal damage!
 
 
Cat Chant
17:24 / 04.05.02
I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!!

The British left is a vibrant and powerful non-institution, creating pockets of randomly-ricocheting joy which will echo throughout the galaxy until utopia suddenly results, and all Barbelites are erudite, beautiful, sophisticated, and generous-hearted.

I could have huggled a few people that day, I tell ya.
 
 
BioDynamo
13:54 / 05.05.02

For Mayday (which is a public holiday in civilized parts of the world) I hitch-hiked to a street party in a small town called Lahti, an hour from Helsinki. Wonderful event, some hundreds of people doing the first radical-political-left manifestation in town pretty much ever, in my lifetime at least. People there were incredibly happy. Sometimes small is, indeed, beautiful.
 
 
rizla mission
15:37 / 05.05.02
Correction:

THIS is apparently what an Anarchist Leader looks like

They're cunning these anarchist leaders. The way they always diguise themselves as drunken old bums..
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
17:46 / 06.05.02
Just wanted to quickly say, I had fun, my initial misgivings could hardly have been more misplaced, and Lyra and the other brains behind this deserve OBEs.
 
 
No star here laces
07:56 / 07.05.02
Well, I've been away from the board for several days owing to snooker, work and smoking crack at squat parties.

But it's good to see everyone had a good time.

I want to say a huge thanks to everyone who came for making my day and also to say that it wasn't just me who organised it: Gozer, Bill and my mate JC who some of you met all helped massively in the planning, and Angel, Mordant and Barry helped get busy with the hammers and nails when needed.

Lets do this more often...
 
  
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