Friday, 17th April

Soon into the demonstration we were greeted by a group of teens, who were curious to know more about the demonstration against the bank, once learning about HLS and just what goes on inside there, and how Barclays support the vile company by investing in them - they were eager to get involved and join the SHAC Campaign to close down HLS. Joining in with our protest the noise was taken up another knotch outside the bank and more members of the public came over to ask about the campaign.

Soon to show up were the police who once again insisted we could not use the megaphone, contrary to our last demo when we were visited by a Duty Inspector who told us we could. After spurring several "ideas" of theirs to why we could not use the megaphone, including "this week is a different week to last week" and "there is a different duty officer working today" - clearly they believe they can make up the law as they go along. Their next idea was to say we couldn't use it due to section 5, more lies.

As we refused to stop using the megaphone, stating we were in our legal rights to use one on the demonstration - they then decided to threaten us with arrest and confiscation of the megaphone. However when questioned in more detail about the section in relation to what they were saying they, literally, went on their bikes.

A riot van was also on the scene, and one of the supporting teens was unlawfully arrested - in an attempt to scare the newly aware bunch away. Thankfully they seemed more angered at the police for this action than scared of them.

See you again very soon Barclays, until you cut your ties with HLS.