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Peace March - sober considerations, police, and parents (!)

We're The Great Old Ones Now

08:22 / 27.09.02

So there's the peace march tomorrow, right? And I'm delighted to say that my parents want to march on it. The only thing is, I'm a little concerned, because though they're hearty folk, and far too wicked to die young, they're neither of them as young as once they were. It wouldn't be at all good for them to have to stand for six hours in ropey conditions in Trafalgar Sqaure while the Police piss about demonstrating the size of their tumescent Civic Order.

So does anyone know what the word is regarding the march? I haven't seen any coverage yet about whether it's regarded as the Fall of Civilisation, to be mercilessly quoshed, or a leftish alternative to the Countryside March where I can let the older generation do their own thing and not worry about seeing them on the Six O'Clock as casualties of our own little Bloody Saturday.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

09:18 / 27.09.02

If last year's similar demo was anything to go by, it was the most peaceful demo I've ever been on. A friend of mine (who's no stranger to demos, and also no stranger to behaving responsibly) may be taking his year-old kid with him, so if his judgment's anything to go by...

I'm personally expecting a nice day out of solidarity- unless they're offended by banners of guys in Russia making barrels, your folks should be okay.

It was easy enough to leave the area last year too- there was *some* direction by police, but more in a Notting Hill crowd control way than a Mayday crowd control way- basically- "if you'd like to go this way sir" rather than "get out of there or I'll hit you".

Shortfatdyke

09:32 / 27.09.02

Well I heard that the march had been organised by a bunch of revolting (ho ho) Labour backbenchers. On Tuesday afternoon, after the 'dossier' on Iraq was published. Not sure they deserve the credit for it, but I get the feeling it's going to be seen as the 'bearded' lefty element making their views known, rather than the scruffy anarchist oiks. My instinct is that it's going to be pretty peaceful - I've seen policemen thump people on CND marches, but in an individual way - not as a co-ordinated response. I'm sure it hurts less that way.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

09:38 / 27.09.02

Hurriedly stops shaving and starts working on those barrels again.

We're The Great Old Ones Now

09:50 / 27.09.02

If last year's similar demo was anything to go by

Jesus. Think about that for a second. Annual anti-war marches? Hoo boy...

Thanks, guys.

invisible_al

12:41 / 27.09.02

Have been told by my Anarchist pal that it should be quite a chilled demo due to large numbers of muslim families comming along. If they hang around with the fluffier protestors they should avoid any trouble, if indeed any happens at all.

Bill Posters

13:20 / 27.09.02

I hope so. Maybe not though. But I'm sure any trouble will be isolated and runawayable from.

GreenMann

14:39 / 27.09.02

… mabey … just mabey, for tomorrow’s anti-war demo, if we dress up like landowners, lords, other landed gentry+assorted farm-hands who know our place, we might also get inflated march figures, full media coverage, AND make life-long friends with the police+journalists from the Daily Mail. Although it’s short notice, it must be worth a try, if there’s a will there’s a way etc…

Rev. Wright

18:14 / 29.09.02

Courtesy of Darios www.promethea.org

Rev. Wright

18:18 / 29.09.02

MOre...

Cameras on cranes by the police

Police with submachine guns (in B/Ws)

Police guarding McDonalds

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

19:00 / 29.09.02

Couldn't get the pictures up, unfortunately, but as regards "Police guarding McDonalds"... my favourite part of yesterday was my friend Gyrus turning to me halfway up Whitehall and saying "What's going on? There's a McDonalds over there, and it's not boarded up! And there's a couple of crusty guys with dreads sitting in there drinking milkshakes and stuff! Who changed our agenda? Did we miss a meeting?"

penitentvandal

19:27 / 29.09.02

Note for people unfamiliar with UK politics: The 'police with smgs' are behind the gates guarding Downing Street. I think they're there all the time, and weren't just a precaution against the insidious threat of attack from thousands of pacifists...

I could be wrong though.

We're The Great Old Ones Now

09:01 / 30.09.02

velvet: Blair once promised that, if elected, he would take down the iron fence separating the Street from the World. It's a recent addition, you see. Strangely, the Generalissimo has neglected this promise since his Glorious Rise to Power.

Our Lady of The Two Towers

11:47 / 30.09.02

Aaah, so that's where all the police were, I thought our route was a strangely police-light march...

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