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La Haine | 19.05.2002 12:55

May 19 - March against capitalist globalisation and repression

14.16: Heading towards the end of the march, Hebe de Bonafini leads (May Square Mothers-Argentina), followed in this order: Official parties, Anarchist unions (CNT), communist organisations, Asturians, Galizians, Cubans, Colombians and Gutemalans. There are few police vans. Atmosphere is quiet and merry.

14.13: Clash-party atmosphere. Everybody's singing: "Inmigration Law for Queen Sophia".

14.00: There is a music band performing in support to Cuba, cheering people up with sudden rushes and immediate sittings on the path. Everybody's dancing.

13.53: Report from La Haine's Undercover Cops Detector: A man, around 30, dressed in a green pants, jeans jacket, slim, burnts, sun glasses; prowls around Casa del Liro (Gran Vía/Mesonero Romanos)

13.44: Police display in Plaza de España and all along the demonstrator is low.

13.42: All crowded from Cibeles to Callao. Chorus and propaganda pro Cuba, Fidel and Che Guevara are visible everywhere.

13.36: The front is now marching along Gran Vía, passing by Telefonica building. They are strongly hooting the building and playing drums. Traffic in Gran Via is blocked until Plaza de España; the surroundings are clear police.

13.33: Cops are quiet, no helmets on, guarding McDonalds and bank branches. People are singing against police brutality and pro solidarity with Palestine and Latin America.

13.13: The demonstration reaches Círculo de Bellas Artes [between Alcalá and Gran Vía], the rear is still by Museo del Prado. 100.000 are estimated to be taking part.

13.09: The front of the demonstration is passing by Cibeles fountain. There is a police van every 30 mts. in Gran Vía, along with an anti-riot cop every 55 mts. Although in the surroundings there is not many police forces displayed. Galiza Nova carries a placard: "Cuba and Galiza pro National Sovereignty". There is a flag from Bloque Nacionalista Galego (nationalists from Galiza), which are singing "We all are Herri Batasuna".

13.06: Dozens of basque people are carrying basque flags and placards against the spreading of basque political prisoners, along with a huge placard with the motto: "Herri asko hikuntz bakarra. ERESISTENTZIA". About 50 people from Asturies reclaim: "Another world is possible".


12.48: A group of Colombians are carrying a huge pirate ship, in which sails can be read: "Colombia: State terrorism. Stop paramilitarism". Samba da Rua has just arrivved , bringing along lots of party and fun. 20.000 people.

12.39: Visible palestinian flag (15x5 mts.), and cuban one (4x2 mts.), carried along by about 300 people from the Solidarity with Cuba Committe. A huge placard demands "Euthanasia for Aznar".

12.37: People from Galiza are cheering up the atmosphere with music and dancing. The demonstration marches in slowly. Still people arriving to the meeting point.

12.31: Hebe de Bonafini and some other Mothers from May Square (Argentina) are leading the deomonstration.

12.27: From Atocha to Neptuno Square people are crowding the demonstration route. About 20.000 people by now. The demonstration is beginning to march in order to allow people joining. Remarkable flags and placards supporting struggles in Colombia, Palestine, Morocco, Cuba, Galiza y Castilla.

12.13: Thousands of people now rallying in Atocha (meeting point). Not large amount of police forces displayed quite yet.

La Haine
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