700 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN A DEMO IN TOTNES, SOUTH DEVON AND OVER 200 TOOK PART IN A BLOCKADE OF A PETROL STATION (article 1)
The demo started at nearby Dartington Art College, with about 300 people, mainly students. It then continued to Totnes (population 10,000), where on route many students from a local school joined the procession. By the time we had reached Totnes town centre, the demo had swelled to 700 plus people, which isn't bad for a Monday. Many local shops closed insupport of the demonstration. After speeches at the town square, around 200 people blockaded the local Safeway's (who are in partnership with BP, who have interests in exploiting Iraqi oil) petrol station. The police who were outnumbered by about 20-1, "agreed" that the blockade could take place, much to the annoyance of the manager. There were no arrests.
It was heartening to see some many people prepared to break the law, 99% who had never taken part in any direct action. As you can see from the photos the people taking part were of all ages. It goes proves that you can mobilise a local population, our only regret is that we should have done it sooner.
It was heartening to see some many people prepared to break the law, 99% who had never taken part in any direct action. As you can see from the photos the people taking part were of all ages. It goes proves that you can mobilise a local population, our only regret is that we should have done it sooner.
