Car Free Day Brixton and Beyond 22nd september
cfd01 | 23.09.2001 12:31
The sun shone as people partied and chilled in brixton: children's games, art workshops, thai chi, volleyball, salsa, cycle training and races, black culture exhibitions, anti-war talks, stalls, nice food, and music, from blues to elvis to samba. Brixton was one of about 10 events in london for the official gov sponsored car free day.
Car Free Day Brixton and Beyond 22nd september
cfd01
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Brixton and Dublin
23.09.2001 12:40
Car Free Day included events in over 600 european cities, some close whole areas others like the uk close smaller sections of streets. The event always causes debate with many saying it is pure tokenism, maybe next year the events in london might be bigger and more autonomous?
In any case the weather was top yesterday. In brixton a small section of Effra road and some surrounding small streets were closed off for some licensed fun, and a welcome relief to worries about war.
Official CFD site www.22september.org
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DUBLIN:
A number of individuals were arrested after a crowd of environmental activists attempted to block off Dublin’s O’Connell St to traffic.
It is believed the activists assembled at the south end of the street shortly after hundreds of cyclists held a critical mass rally to mark a European-wide ‘Car Free Day’.
Eyewitnesses said there were a number of scuffles between protesters and gardaí and that a number of people were taken away in Garda vans. The gadaí tonight confirmed that five people were arrested.
Environmental groups claim the number of cars on Dublin streets is continuing to rise and is stifling urban mobility and increasing pollution levels.
Earlier today Dublin Corporation urged citizens to leave their car at home today as part of a ‘Car Free Day’.
The ‘In town without my car’ campaign was aimed at encouraging people to look at alternative means of getting around the city and using public transport where possible.
To mark the day there were a number of special events at Customs House Quay and Merrion Square West. Face painting, children’s choirs, salsa and ceile bands kept the ‘car-less’ crowds entertained throughout the day.
There were also a number of free draws for an Electric Bike and two tickets to tomorrow's All-Ireland final.
In addition, Dublin Bus said charged minimum fares of 60p for adults and 40p for children, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Six thousand half price family tickets were provided by the Dart Service.
The campaign is centred on three types of measures which it is hoped will encourage the use of alternative forms of transport and travel other than private cars and inform people about the risks connected with pollution. Finally it is hoped that by reducing traffic within restricted areas the image of a town or city will be enhanced for those who live there as well as visitors.
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SATURDAY 22/09/01 10:27:15
Irish car free effort slammed
The Irish Republic's contribution today to the Europe-wide Car Free Day was criticised by environmentalists for its lack of enthusiasm.
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Sunday 22nd in London:
23 September 2001 13:11 GMT+1
Real life on hold as streets empty on a surreal Saturday afternoon By Simon O'Hagan
23 September 2001
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