Rhythms of Resistance greetings from Barcelona!!!
RoR | 25.06.2001 01:07
Hola amigos britanicos!!!
Just a few lines to tell you what we´ve been up to in the last couple of days.
Just a few lines to tell you what we´ve been up to in the last couple of days.
The London based Rhythms of Resistance drum band is in town for the actions of the cancelled World Bank meeting. Apart from our legendary indecision and faffing, we´ve managed to take part in a alternative fashion show, and a superb prison solidarity action, so far.
Sat night was the Fiesta of St John, an excuse to chuck fireworks about in the streets and light bonfires and party.We went to a bangin´ beach party with a bus with the catwalk on the roof, escorting the bus through the masses where people took the piss out of the fashion industry, modelling riot gear chic.
Sunday morning we were supposed to be on the big demo, but due to a mix up, our instruments were on the bus outside the museum, not at the demo. Doh! After retreating to a park, we heard of the cop brutality. We heard second hand that ´Black Blockers´ trashed Burger King windows turned around, drew batons and waded into the demo. The shape of things to come in dear old Blighty? However we saw that Banco Santander and Deutsche Bank were severely trashed. Deutsche having a rather fetching road sign protruding into the street from its reception desk!
So, in the evening we assembled in Placa Catalunya, to reclaim the square in response to Police violence. With dancers sashaying in front of us, plumed up in pink and white feathers, we facilitated the arrival of the bus with the sound system & platform for speakers. An assembly was held, and a decision taken to remain in the square until 11pm, being treated to top political rap, ragga, and delicious food. To show solidarity with the 22 arrested earlier in the day it was decided to mobilise a crowd to rally outside the police station where the detainees were held.
We then led the assemblage of around 500 into a large street, where the Barcelona crowd joyfully danced its way up to a underground station, down into the ticket hall, through the barriers and onto the platform. The train driver had a wonderful smile on his face as he brought it to a halt to let us on! We emerged at our destination up onto a street.We flowed with the crowd to a noisy demonstration in solidarity with those imprisoned directly outside the cop shop. We missed our last train back to the squat. Fuck it. What a great day!
The carnival continues! Take this space...
Sat night was the Fiesta of St John, an excuse to chuck fireworks about in the streets and light bonfires and party.We went to a bangin´ beach party with a bus with the catwalk on the roof, escorting the bus through the masses where people took the piss out of the fashion industry, modelling riot gear chic.
Sunday morning we were supposed to be on the big demo, but due to a mix up, our instruments were on the bus outside the museum, not at the demo. Doh! After retreating to a park, we heard of the cop brutality. We heard second hand that ´Black Blockers´ trashed Burger King windows turned around, drew batons and waded into the demo. The shape of things to come in dear old Blighty? However we saw that Banco Santander and Deutsche Bank were severely trashed. Deutsche having a rather fetching road sign protruding into the street from its reception desk!
So, in the evening we assembled in Placa Catalunya, to reclaim the square in response to Police violence. With dancers sashaying in front of us, plumed up in pink and white feathers, we facilitated the arrival of the bus with the sound system & platform for speakers. An assembly was held, and a decision taken to remain in the square until 11pm, being treated to top political rap, ragga, and delicious food. To show solidarity with the 22 arrested earlier in the day it was decided to mobilise a crowd to rally outside the police station where the detainees were held.
We then led the assemblage of around 500 into a large street, where the Barcelona crowd joyfully danced its way up to a underground station, down into the ticket hall, through the barriers and onto the platform. The train driver had a wonderful smile on his face as he brought it to a halt to let us on! We emerged at our destination up onto a street.We flowed with the crowd to a noisy demonstration in solidarity with those imprisoned directly outside the cop shop. We missed our last train back to the squat. Fuck it. What a great day!
The carnival continues! Take this space...
RoR
Comments
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Dancing and banging things - so empowering!
25.06.2001 02:42
Tricia Phatts