With the war memorial as a backdrop, still resplendent in poppies and wreaths in memory of all those who died in the two world wars to end all wars, a small group demonstrated their opposition to the visit of the Toxic Texan to our country.

As well as "Bush" and "Blair" greeting passers-by, there was some singing and playing of guitars, poetry, street theatre, speeches and skipping for peace (with a long improvised skipping rope).

A group of police numbering between two and five over the course of the protest kept an eye on proceedings from outside a nearby shop, but evidently they did not think any crimes were being committed.

After about an hour, the demonstrators packed up and dispersed in an orderly fashion to return to their jobs and lives, but they have promised to be back tomorrow evening for more of the same and a bit of statue toppling. All welcome.

======================================================

Thursday 20th November 6pm
Bush Statue Toppling
The Parade, Swindon, at the Fleming Way end (outside Debenhams)
More info:  http://freespace.virgin.net/swindon.stopwar/events.htm

======================================================

Some coverage of today's protests in London from the Beeb:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk/3283657.stm
A report from the Beeb's embedded journalist in Buckingham Palace:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3283373.stm

======================================================

Good luck to everyone who's going to London tomorrow, look after each other and watch out for the 'anti-terrorism' security measures.