Coloured chalk,skipping rope games,flamboyant costumes, people dancing,DJs spinning
their decks- a very peaceful but colourful scene greeted my eyes when I attended
yesterdays RTS. The atmosphere was happy and besides the 200 or so people who
attended the event which started in Dupont circle at around 4pm,there were a number of
DC residents whose flats overlooked the action who got involved.The most memorable
was the man who started to blow soap bubbles from his balcony, which only enhanced
the fun atmosphere even more.

But unfortunately, no-one could ignore the rather large police presence,at both ends of
the street, with their familiar lights flashing on the tops of their car roofs.

The police managed to contain themselves and not interfere with the proceedings for
approximately two hours. But all good things have to come to an end as the saying goes
and around 6.30pm they could not refrain any longer and chose to close everything down.


The atmosphere which had been vibrant with a real sense of unity which had developed
over the duration of the street party,was replaced with anger and fear.

It is a shame that the event which had been billed on flyers as a "An action that brings us
all together as equals.It's a celebration" had to end in such a negative and soul destroying
way.

I am British but have been in D.C since the end of August. Even though the idea of RTS
originated from England, I was unaware of this type of activism going on in my own
country. I have never been involved in activism in any way and RTS was an enlightening
experience and has really made me question my own views and beliefs. I found that
RTS highlighted the differences between British police and American police. The most
noticeable difference is that as a rule our police do not carry guns. I think that the fact that
American people always have that threat of a police officer pulling out a gun changes the
dynamics of everything.

I really hope that yesterdays sad outcome has not deterred people from taking up the
gauntlet and organising Reclaim the Streets 2002.