MayDay2002 Time Line
imc | 01.05.2002 13:01
This is the latest news with pictures and audio files about the events. For 14 hours we have streamed live reporting on UK Indymedia Radio from http://radio.uk1.indymedia.org . This link is not streaming now anymore as the radio is now closed. We would like to send greetings to the over 3000 people from 27 different countries, ranging from Paraguay to Japan, who have been listening on Mayday.
Pre-MayDay Events
Background
Recent Video selection
International MayDay
22:30 All trapped celebrators are released now.
21:30 Police siege of Soho is starting to relax, but a couple of hundred people remain trapped in Old Compton St. Mayday celebrators are being released on an individual basis, after being searched for weapons and photographed. It is worth remembering that, under Section 60, police do not have the right to gather intelligence by forcefully obtaining pictures of individual citizens.
20:30 Around 500 people, including a samba band, are still penned in by riot police in Old Compton St. Despite continuously chanting "let us out", they are not being allowed to move. Soho has been smoothly taken over by police, and it has been confirmed that a Section 60 order has been issued for Central London, stripping citizens of their usual rights. Police are taking away many people, but it is not clear whether they are being arrested or just removed from the area.
19.40 Riot police have cordoned off the Soho streets where the carnival is taking place. The carnival crowd has been divided by a police line, and officers are violently pushing people into Old Compton St. Celebrators are using non-violent resistance -- linking arms and refusing to move -- in an attempt to remain partying together. There are reports that a Section 60 order has been issued. Hear an audio Report from Wardour St..
19.15 The "official" version from mainstream media for the Trafalgar Sq. rally today, is that over 7000 people joined in a peaceful protest interspersed with minor incidents.
19.05 Between two and three thousand people are partying in Old Compton St. and the surrounding area.
19.00 Confirmed total number of arrests so far: 8 people earlier on in the day, according to a Scotland Yard briefing given to the Press Association; plus another 4 in Leicester Sq. just now, while allegedly trying to attack a McDonalds.
18.50 In Old Compton St. an IMC reporter was assaulted by a police officer and one person was arrested. Police are closing Shaftesbury Avenue and Wardour St. Old Compton St. and the North end of Wardour St. are still open. See a photo of the crowdds in Cambridge Circus.
18.25 A separate group of one thousand people are penned in by police in Leicester Sq, where there are some minor scuffles. Police numbers increase throughout the area, and officers are getting into their riot gear. Meanwhile, Wombles were being followed once outside court. Read a personal account.
18.15 The carnivalistas are now in Wardour St.
18.05 The carnival parade is in Old Compton St. moving towards Piccadilly.
18.00 Report of 40 police vans in Piccadilly Circus with officers getting into full riot gear. A Mayday gang in Leicester, gave out free cake to everyone, as a token of the free society. Mayday was also celebrated in Greenwich.
17.30 People are now celebrating around Soho. Photo from Soho
16.45 One thousand people party in full swing carnival mood at Old Compton St, Soho. This event is organised by the International Sex Workers Union. Very good atmosphere with a massive police presence in the background.
16.40 Speeches have finished at Trafalgar Square and people are leaving the area, though a sizeable crowd still remains there. There is no Section 60 and celebrators are free to move around.
15.40 Around 2,000 MayDay celebrators remain hemmed in Trafalgar Square. Latest reports confirm that one person has been arrested by police and the legal defence people have been made aware. See a photo from Trafalgar Square here
15.30 800 people are in Oxford Street and move peacefully towards Marble Arch. No trouble here (Why should there be?). See a photo from the web cam at Oxford St. here
15.20 Scuffles broke out in Trafalgar Square after police attempted to prevent the Critical Mass, the CarniBall and other Pagan Celebrators from joining the Trade Union march. An Indymedia journalist was struck while reporting. Police are engaging in heavy handed violent tactics to separate the groups of people.
15.10 Around 2000 MayDay celebrators heading down Piccadilly Circus have broken through a police line and are now heading towards Trafalgar Square.
Read a report from Picadilli here.
14.45 2-3000 people are playing football in Oxford St, have turned left at Hyde Park Corner to move down Park Lane. Reports say it's a "lovely and fluffy atmosphere".
14.40 The Piccadilly Circus crowd has moved to Charing Cross Road.
14.35 Around 5,000 people have gathered at Piccadilly Circus and are enjoying the carnival. People are continuing towards Trafalgar Square.
14.30 The "Anarchist Conga Train" is spreading in the Oxford Street area, police are trying to divide the crowd.
14.25 Police are trying to cordon in (that's the famous Section 60!) 1000 people at Oxford Street, but don't succeed as people are moving off quickly.
14.10 Several thousand people are peacefully moving around in Soho and Mayfair, celebrating a sunny Mayday!.
Hear the audio report report from Bond St, and see some nice festive pictures here.
13.45: 1000 people are walking along New Bond Street towards Piccadilly Circus. Hear the audio report from Picadilly ircus. The Wombles are part of this group. Increasing police presence, but not intervening.
13.40: Parts of the critical mass bike riders plus some 400 people on foot are moving along Wardour Street towards Oxford Street. There is a nice and festive athmosphere. Although burly undercover cops can be seen in baseball hats chatting away with uniformed officers.
13.30: Trafalgar Square: 50 riot vans surround the square and a sea of yellow bibs are keeping poeple out, with no union marchers insight yet! Bemused tourists stare in disbelief as they are watched by surveilance police from the rooftops.
13.25: About 300 to 400 people moving along North Audsley Street with 50 police and more in police vans following. Atmosphere very peaceful and happy.
13.20: Dionysian Underground have 50 people at a beautiful gathering in Green Park. Balloons wine and flowers in a circle of trees "thanking mother earth for being so bountiful and giving everyone the power to do what they need to for the rest of the day"
13.10: People are gathering for the union march which is expected to start soon. Many Mayday celebrators are gathering around Mayfair.
12.40: The mass have settled in the Park - having a rest, and a are being joined by more people chilling.
12.00: 500 cyclists have now gathered around Hyde Park corner, the police can not section them as they keep moving! Sporadic blockades of the roads around Marble Arch are happening and the atmosphere is good. Hear the audio of Criticall Mass moving to Hyde Park.
11.30 Unconfirmed reports just came in about a possible section 60 on the South London Critical Mass. The cyclists were on their way to Hyde Park Corner but they seem to have been stuck at Oxford street. See some photos from South London critical mass.
10:37: The critical mass has now been divided into groups outside the US embassy. The west side is being blockaded with a concrete barrier.
10:30: Around 200 Critical Mass cyclists are being forced to congregate outside the Indonesian embassy because police have erected barriers outside the US embassy with 50-60 officers, cameras have been placed on the roof and a helicopter in an adjacent street. The 200 cyclists are being escorted by police.
10:00: South London Critical Mass has now arrived at Trafalgar Square. The action has a nice carnival atmosphere. Read this Personal report for a flavour.
09.40: A 200 strong Critical Mass has arrived outside Horsferry Rd. Magistrates Court in solidarity with the Wombles 7. Cyclists and demonstrators are now in the middle of the road stopping traffic. Great Pictures of the Breakfast, Banners and arrival of critical mass.
09:30: 25 people have started a free breakfast outside Horseferry Rd Magistrate Court. Police is filming and taking pictures of all people gathered. See photos of the supporthere.
09.25: Around 70 people are outside Horseferry Road Magistrates Court in solidarity with the Wombles 7 trial. Atmosphere is very calm and there is minimal police presence.Report.
09.15: Reports of heavy media presence outside New Scotland Yard for the Metropolitan Police Mayday Press Conference. There are also reports of shops and bussinesses in Mayfair have been boarded up in anticipation of this afternoon's actions in the area. Scotland Yard has drafted in 5000 officers for the event.
09.00 The South London Critical Mass is now in the City of London. Around 500 cyclists have stopped outside the Bank of England. There is still a carnival athmosphere. See the photos from the North London Critical Mass too.
08.35 Around 300 people are taking part in the South London Critical Mass. Atmosphere is very calm but heavy police presence is in the area, report
07.00: Police have evicted the MayDay Social Centre at Great Eastern Street. People gathered and left peacefully, as they said they would.
Background
Recent Video selection
International MayDay
22:30 All trapped celebrators are released now.
21:30 Police siege of Soho is starting to relax, but a couple of hundred people remain trapped in Old Compton St. Mayday celebrators are being released on an individual basis, after being searched for weapons and photographed. It is worth remembering that, under Section 60, police do not have the right to gather intelligence by forcefully obtaining pictures of individual citizens.
20:30 Around 500 people, including a samba band, are still penned in by riot police in Old Compton St. Despite continuously chanting "let us out", they are not being allowed to move. Soho has been smoothly taken over by police, and it has been confirmed that a Section 60 order has been issued for Central London, stripping citizens of their usual rights. Police are taking away many people, but it is not clear whether they are being arrested or just removed from the area.
19.40 Riot police have cordoned off the Soho streets where the carnival is taking place. The carnival crowd has been divided by a police line, and officers are violently pushing people into Old Compton St. Celebrators are using non-violent resistance -- linking arms and refusing to move -- in an attempt to remain partying together. There are reports that a Section 60 order has been issued. Hear an audio Report from Wardour St..
19.15 The "official" version from mainstream media for the Trafalgar Sq. rally today, is that over 7000 people joined in a peaceful protest interspersed with minor incidents.
19.05 Between two and three thousand people are partying in Old Compton St. and the surrounding area.
19.00 Confirmed total number of arrests so far: 8 people earlier on in the day, according to a Scotland Yard briefing given to the Press Association; plus another 4 in Leicester Sq. just now, while allegedly trying to attack a McDonalds.
18.50 In Old Compton St. an IMC reporter was assaulted by a police officer and one person was arrested. Police are closing Shaftesbury Avenue and Wardour St. Old Compton St. and the North end of Wardour St. are still open. See a photo of the crowdds in Cambridge Circus.
18.25 A separate group of one thousand people are penned in by police in Leicester Sq, where there are some minor scuffles. Police numbers increase throughout the area, and officers are getting into their riot gear. Meanwhile, Wombles were being followed once outside court. Read a personal account.
18.15 The carnivalistas are now in Wardour St.
18.05 The carnival parade is in Old Compton St. moving towards Piccadilly.
18.00 Report of 40 police vans in Piccadilly Circus with officers getting into full riot gear. A Mayday gang in Leicester, gave out free cake to everyone, as a token of the free society. Mayday was also celebrated in Greenwich.
17.30 People are now celebrating around Soho. Photo from Soho
16.45 One thousand people party in full swing carnival mood at Old Compton St, Soho. This event is organised by the International Sex Workers Union. Very good atmosphere with a massive police presence in the background.
16.40 Speeches have finished at Trafalgar Square and people are leaving the area, though a sizeable crowd still remains there. There is no Section 60 and celebrators are free to move around.
15.40 Around 2,000 MayDay celebrators remain hemmed in Trafalgar Square. Latest reports confirm that one person has been arrested by police and the legal defence people have been made aware. See a photo from Trafalgar Square here
15.30 800 people are in Oxford Street and move peacefully towards Marble Arch. No trouble here (Why should there be?). See a photo from the web cam at Oxford St. here
15.20 Scuffles broke out in Trafalgar Square after police attempted to prevent the Critical Mass, the CarniBall and other Pagan Celebrators from joining the Trade Union march. An Indymedia journalist was struck while reporting. Police are engaging in heavy handed violent tactics to separate the groups of people.
15.10 Around 2000 MayDay celebrators heading down Piccadilly Circus have broken through a police line and are now heading towards Trafalgar Square.
Read a report from Picadilli here.
14.45 2-3000 people are playing football in Oxford St, have turned left at Hyde Park Corner to move down Park Lane. Reports say it's a "lovely and fluffy atmosphere".
14.40 The Piccadilly Circus crowd has moved to Charing Cross Road.
14.35 Around 5,000 people have gathered at Piccadilly Circus and are enjoying the carnival. People are continuing towards Trafalgar Square.
14.30 The "Anarchist Conga Train" is spreading in the Oxford Street area, police are trying to divide the crowd.
14.25 Police are trying to cordon in (that's the famous Section 60!) 1000 people at Oxford Street, but don't succeed as people are moving off quickly.
14.10 Several thousand people are peacefully moving around in Soho and Mayfair, celebrating a sunny Mayday!.
Hear the audio report report from Bond St, and see some nice festive pictures here.
13.45: 1000 people are walking along New Bond Street towards Piccadilly Circus. Hear the audio report from Picadilly ircus. The Wombles are part of this group. Increasing police presence, but not intervening.
13.40: Parts of the critical mass bike riders plus some 400 people on foot are moving along Wardour Street towards Oxford Street. There is a nice and festive athmosphere. Although burly undercover cops can be seen in baseball hats chatting away with uniformed officers.
13.30: Trafalgar Square: 50 riot vans surround the square and a sea of yellow bibs are keeping poeple out, with no union marchers insight yet! Bemused tourists stare in disbelief as they are watched by surveilance police from the rooftops.
13.25: About 300 to 400 people moving along North Audsley Street with 50 police and more in police vans following. Atmosphere very peaceful and happy.
13.20: Dionysian Underground have 50 people at a beautiful gathering in Green Park. Balloons wine and flowers in a circle of trees "thanking mother earth for being so bountiful and giving everyone the power to do what they need to for the rest of the day"
13.10: People are gathering for the union march which is expected to start soon. Many Mayday celebrators are gathering around Mayfair.
12.40: The mass have settled in the Park - having a rest, and a are being joined by more people chilling.
12.00: 500 cyclists have now gathered around Hyde Park corner, the police can not section them as they keep moving! Sporadic blockades of the roads around Marble Arch are happening and the atmosphere is good. Hear the audio of Criticall Mass moving to Hyde Park.
11.30 Unconfirmed reports just came in about a possible section 60 on the South London Critical Mass. The cyclists were on their way to Hyde Park Corner but they seem to have been stuck at Oxford street. See some photos from South London critical mass.
10:37: The critical mass has now been divided into groups outside the US embassy. The west side is being blockaded with a concrete barrier.
10:30: Around 200 Critical Mass cyclists are being forced to congregate outside the Indonesian embassy because police have erected barriers outside the US embassy with 50-60 officers, cameras have been placed on the roof and a helicopter in an adjacent street. The 200 cyclists are being escorted by police.
10:00: South London Critical Mass has now arrived at Trafalgar Square. The action has a nice carnival atmosphere. Read this Personal report for a flavour.
09.40: A 200 strong Critical Mass has arrived outside Horsferry Rd. Magistrates Court in solidarity with the Wombles 7. Cyclists and demonstrators are now in the middle of the road stopping traffic. Great Pictures of the Breakfast, Banners and arrival of critical mass.
09:30: 25 people have started a free breakfast outside Horseferry Rd Magistrate Court. Police is filming and taking pictures of all people gathered. See photos of the supporthere.
09.25: Around 70 people are outside Horseferry Road Magistrates Court in solidarity with the Wombles 7 trial. Atmosphere is very calm and there is minimal police presence.Report.
09.15: Reports of heavy media presence outside New Scotland Yard for the Metropolitan Police Mayday Press Conference. There are also reports of shops and bussinesses in Mayfair have been boarded up in anticipation of this afternoon's actions in the area. Scotland Yard has drafted in 5000 officers for the event.
09.00 The South London Critical Mass is now in the City of London. Around 500 cyclists have stopped outside the Bank of England. There is still a carnival athmosphere. See the photos from the North London Critical Mass too.
08.35 Around 300 people are taking part in the South London Critical Mass. Atmosphere is very calm but heavy police presence is in the area, report
07.00: Police have evicted the MayDay Social Centre at Great Eastern Street. People gathered and left peacefully, as they said they would.
imc
Comments
Hide the following 9 comments
Unseen Police Tactics
02.05.2002 08:36
I'm sure this must have happened to more people, and is totally unacceptable .......... Ya Basta !
Bob
The trade union demo
02.05.2002 09:39
In fact I spoke to a mum and dad and their child and advised them of how to get back to Leicester Sq. They were approaching Wardour Street from Brewer Street as scuffles continued.
I spent the day at the trade union demo, which was a success. This is not a criticism but why could not the people who devoted their energies to having a rallying point in Soho have joined the trade union demo? Correct me if I'm wrong but where were Rhythms of Resistance on the trade union demo? Their presence on all the anti-war/CND/Palestine demos has been greatly appreciated. I would have like to have seen the band and the party people on the trade union demo.
Perhaps I've got this completely wrong and people attended the trade union demo before going up to Soho, but in my opinion the people in the surrounding streets from where the party in Soho was taking place were a very different crowd to the trade union demo. I had no sense of solidarity with the hundreds of people milling around. It was just the feel of people trying to get a closer look at what was behind the police lines.
I too wanted to know what was going on behind the police lines, but this year, (May Day), having attended the trade union demo and marched with pensioners I saw no point in heading to any other demo during the day. The only reason we got to the surrounding streets was because we heard that there was trouble and that the police were in riot gear.
Which came first? The throwing of bottles and street furniture or the Section 60?
Both in my opinion could have been avoided if everyone had united behind the trade union demo.
Gary Jarvis, National Union of Journalists.
Gary Jarvis
e-mail:
yesgaryjarvis@hotmail.com
where people were
02.05.2002 15:53
Soho have joined the trade union demo?"
In short, because we felt in was more worthwhile to be in Mayfair, and were busy there.
Equally, we could ask you, why couldn't the people on the TUC march have joined us in Mayfair?, (or
at the very in Soho which didn't clash with the TUC march timewise).
And to answer your question, although I don't have knowledge of everything that happened, I saw absolutely no
violence at all towards the cops until well after they set up lines of riot drones penning us in. That was my experience.
Genoseize
clarification
02.05.2002 16:00
cops, only a few random attacks by loose-cannon-psycho type cops against us a couple of times.
After the cops had penned us in, though, I saw a few bottles thrown, and people pushing police lines.
Maybe I had a weird experience and didn't see what was really going on, but I think it's much
more likely we were remarkably non-violent.
Genoseize
sambistas prefer company of loved up anarchos
02.05.2002 18:21
sparkle
Thanks to Genoseize and Sparkle
02.05.2002 19:48
I apologize for any offence I may have caused. I got caught up in the section 60 at Oxford Circus last year and following a very recent brush with the police I wasn't taking any chances yesterday.
Seeing all the links on IndyMedia has made me realise how much was going on beside the trade union demo and I congratulate all those in Soho on their efforts to make a difference. This may sound like a change of tune - it is.
I don't just want to be a trade unionist, I want to build bridges, but not in the sense Blair talks about. I really believe that greater unity can make a real difference to our efforts to fight New Labour, the excesses of capitalism and stop suffering.
I'll end with a question. Can we create bigger mobilisations on varying issues in the coming months?
Gary Jarvis
Gary Jarvis
e-mail:
yesgaryjarvis@hotmail.com
yes lets organise!
03.05.2002 14:16
yes, it would be good to see more and varied actions gather strength from the current swell of interest in anti capitalist feelings. There are many actions taking place, all over the country that need greater support. The problem is publicising them adequately before and after the event. That is where indymedia comes into its own. Large events organised by cnd, trade unions, stop the war coalition and globalise resistance grab the limelight because of the media savvy of their organisers, and also their 'official' nature. I am in favour of more wildcat, unnofficial and non violent unpredictability. How to gain large numbers for these sorts of events is an ongoing problem. Lets not be downhearted though, I think its gonna happen and I think Mayday empowered a lot of people.
Large ralleys can be hugely empowering when you see the sheer scale of support for your own dearly held beleifs, but lets not forget the smaller protests and actions that happen every day. Keep checking indemedia, get involved in your local (squatted?) social centre, pick up flyers handed to you on demos. Theres a lot going on out there and the best way to get involved is to actively hunt it down and add your support. Better still, organise your own!
sparkle
Can we have a map?
05.05.2002 21:05
And at what point time and things happen!
I find it all a bit confusing !
Help!
Fuffie Protester
(The Pink Bobber!) Smash Le Pen! yes that one!
Keith
e-mail:
keith__collins__
Thanks Sparkle
10.05.2002 10:17
I have been following your advice of actively seeking activism (a habit, which I had kinda let slip in recent months). I appreciate the reminders and pointers and I'm now organising, mostly for anti-war efforts, in my patch of the woods, which is north of London/Barnet/Herts.
So friends if you want to get involved in building for the May 18 demo and future events - large and small - get in touch with me.
Cheers Gary Jarvis
Gary Jarvis
e-mail:
yesgaryjarvis@hotmail.com