G20 protests likened to Glastonbury

[lovelessrapture]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7973178.stm

Well the bits on bishopsgate anyways. Think I might go give it a look after work lol.

[krisskross]

I'm thinking of popping down too! nice and sunny, a good day for camping

[joshwarrr]

wish i could pop down, but i am in norwich. its quite relaxed here though. no tents yet.

[nina3d]

Is this an e-fests meet in London?!

[CrunchyFrog]

There is a picture of a protestor smashing a window....... looked on by what looks to be 100 photographers!! Quite farcical!

[Cole89]

Not that I condone violent actions, I do think the way the police have stifled where the protesters can protest is an actual disgrace.

Penning them in is nothing worse, than treating them like animals.

[lovelessrapture]

There is a picture of a protestor smashing a window....... looked on by what looks to be 100 photographers!! Quite farcical!

[joshwarrr]

There is a picture of a protestor smashing a window....... looked on by what looks to be 100 photographers!! Quite farcical!

[theleedslads]

Glastonbury or Leeds Festival?!

[lovelessrapture]

Glastonbury or Leeds Festival?!

[scaryclaireyfairy]

the huge press presence is ridiculous. they're not there to publicise the issues, they just want a big rammy to kick off.

[CrunchyFrog]

the huge press presence is ridiculous. they're not there to publicise the issues, they just want a big rammy to kick off.

[crimsonking]

the huge press presence is ridiculous. they're not there to publicise the issues, they just want a big rammy to kick off.

[loosechange]

From The Guardian, or is it The Day Today:

"11 protesters who turned up at the protest in an armoured personnel carrier were arrested in connection with the possession of police uniforms and road traffic offences.

The latter group are understood to be anarchists known as the Space Hijackers who had come to make their feelings felt through the medium of street theatre."

[bombfrog]

Not that I condone violent actions, I do think the way the police have stifled where the protesters can protest is an actual disgrace.

Penning them in is nothing worse, than treating them like animals.

[Tugger2k]

But that's exactly how some of them behave.

If I were the police I'd think it very sensible to keep the protesters away from certain buildings (e.g. banks) where people have to go to work today and probably feared for their personal safety.

Unfortunately, there is an element at Glastonbury that is just as bad, as evidenced by comments like this on this very forum....

[bombfrog]

how can it possibly be sensible for the police to pen in 99% of protesters that were there for peacefull motives, keeping them away from water and toilet facilities was only going to incense fair minded people and make them more likely to join the idiots that were there for violence.

the banks told all their workers to dress down or work from home so no issue there with peoples safety.

honestly, the way the media & the police have whipped it up this week made it almost envitable that it would kick off, but if youd let the majority walk on through, instead of dealing with a mass of pissed off people youd have had a small majority and you could have picked them up with minimal fuss

[Tugger2k]

I didn't say they should pen them in, I just said that they should keep them away from some likely flashpoints.

How the police are supposed to know which protesters are likely to kick off and which aren't is anyone's guess though. I imagine they have to be cautious of pretty much everyone on a day like today, even if 99% have nothing but peaceful intentions.

It's certainly not a job I'd like to be doing today.

[bombfrog]

pensioners out to protest today at the way their pensions have been devalued by greedy arrogant bankers

[Tugger2k]

LOL.

The irony.

Edited April 1, 2009 by Tugger2k

[bombfrog]

lol, thats a fair cop buddy!!

ok, i was a bit over the top on the bankers, but when i consider about 22 peoples actions today (the number of arrests) i still cant help thinking that the police action, and media storm before and during, was over the top

[Tugger2k]

I think in hindsight it probably was, but then hindsight is a wonderful thing

[bombfrog]

Watching on BBC News 24 now. Looks like it's just the proper nutjobs still there.

They've just reported that a protester has died. Apparently police trying to help him and get an ambulance through were pelted with bottles

[Tugger2k]

Watching on BBC News 24 now. Looks like it's just the proper nutjobs still there.

They've just reported that a protester has died. Apparently police trying to help him and get an ambulance through were pelted with bottles

[bombfrog]

Very true, sounds like they've got exactly what they wanted.