Parliament Square Blocked Last Night in Anti-War Action
Direct Action Now! | 04.03.2003 14:19
One group waiting at a bus stop were heard to say to each other - "want to join them?" - "not now, but I will when war starts proper" came the reply. Along the route quite a few people did however join the march in the streets.
By the time we reached whitehall and went past downing street a small police escourt had appeared, walking behind us.
Walking out into Parliament Square, we quickly formed a single line across the road opposite the main vehicle gate of parliament and sat down. Later there were a few scuffles as police dragged and threw some people out of the way as they obstructed cars leaving parliament, but on the whole the police left people blocking the street. Indeed they seemed very standoff-ish, seemingly being happy to allow the blockade.
The square was blocked for over 5 minutes (maybe 10?). A car with a nurse in it on her way to a patient was allowed through the blockade (she paused to say she was anti-war too). As more police were arriving we stopped the sit down and bagan to march away. Now police were a little more physical, giving the odd push but nothing more. We circled parliament square and went on to block westminster bridge for a short time.
With all the talk of direct action and civil disobedience being necessary in the run up to war, and when it starts in ernest, this action showed just how easy it is for people to take action, even with small numbers.
NB The action ended with the arrest of two women on Westminster bridge when more police vans arrived and police began to get much heavier, pushing people and their bicycles and swearing. While that ended the action on a more confrontational note it was clear where the moral arguement was, and many people agreed it had been a very worthwhile protest.
Over to you...
Direct Action Now!
Comments
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FANTASTIC RESISTANCE
04.03.2003 18:53
FANTASTIC RESISTANCE
2) Earlier today the local police done a drugs raid in the flats opposite where I live, while they were in side the flat some little tyke snuck up and stuck a NO WAR FOR OIL sticker on the boot of one of cars. (HA HA) see pic.
somebody
This is great! Well done.
06.03.2003 14:42
Let this type of protest spread. How about blocking the entrance to MoD and the roadways to air forces bases and any other military establishments.
And maybe our friends in the USA will do likewise.
Another person
The yout
06.03.2003 16:10
Nonephata