With a banner reading "Unending War - Unending Resistance" we marched through the streets blocking traffic from Oxford street and along Regents Street. Chanting "No Blood for Oil" there was good support from passers-by, bus drivers and other motorists. There was the odd shout of disapproval, and 'bloody students' comment, but on the whole people were supportive. The streets were quite busy and a lot of people saw the protest.

One group waiting at a bus stop were heard to say to each other - "want to join them?" - "not now, but I will when war starts proper" came the reply. Along the route quite a few people did however join the march in the streets.

By the time we reached whitehall and went past downing street a small police escourt had appeared, walking behind us.

Walking out into Parliament Square, we quickly formed a single line across the road opposite the main vehicle gate of parliament and sat down. Later there were a few scuffles as police dragged and threw some people out of the way as they obstructed cars leaving parliament, but on the whole the police left people blocking the street. Indeed they seemed very standoff-ish, seemingly being happy to allow the blockade.

The square was blocked for over 5 minutes (maybe 10?). A car with a nurse in it on her way to a patient was allowed through the blockade (she paused to say she was anti-war too). As more police were arriving we stopped the sit down and bagan to march away. Now police were a little more physical, giving the odd push but nothing more. We circled parliament square and went on to block westminster bridge for a short time.

With all the talk of direct action and civil disobedience being necessary in the run up to war, and when it starts in ernest, this action showed just how easy it is for people to take action, even with small numbers.

NB The action ended with the arrest of two women on Westminster bridge when more police vans arrived and police began to get much heavier, pushing people and their bicycles and swearing. While that ended the action on a more confrontational note it was clear where the moral arguement was, and many people agreed it had been a very worthwhile protest.

Over to you...