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Cardiff roads blocked in huge demo (again!)

llantwit | 20.03.2003 21:23

Wales's Capital was stopped on this day of shame. Campaigners vow to continue civil dissobedience until the government takes notice.

After a huge spontaneous lunchtime demo in the centre of Cardiff, the city was again brought to a standstill between the hours of 5 and 8.30 by thousands of protestors.
The Cardiff Anarchist Network blockeded a main road at 5pm with the help of arm tubes, and were soon joined by around a thousand others. The street was reclaimed for 1 1/2 hours, and then the march moved on to various other key junctions in the city.
The police were impotent in the face of such numbers and the fact that there was no set 'route', and obviously got quite frustrated and angry.
This frustration on the part of the boys in blue showed itself when they charged a group of peaceful demonstrators (including pensioners and children)at around 8.20. At least one demonstrator was badly hurt and is currently in hospital with head wounds.
At least three peaceful protestors were arrested for 'breach of the peace'. Despite the fact a thousand people had obstructed the highway there were no arrests for this 'crime'.
The demo eventually petered out to chants of 'we'll be back tomorrow'.
We will.

Stop the cities, stop the bases, stop the war.

llantwit

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

see you all tomorrow

20.03.2003 22:20

just come back now. got a bruise on my neck from the rozzers. what time we kicking off tomorrow? any one know?

steve


Cardiff demo(fri. 21st)

21.03.2003 08:55

I believe tonights demo is starting at the Nye Bevan statue (top of Queen St.)at 5pm.

Michael
mail e-mail: kennedy_mi@glan-hafren.ac.uk


Cardiff demo(fri. 21st)

21.03.2003 08:55

I believe tonights demo is starting at the Nye Bevan statue (top of Queen St.)at 5pm.

Michael
mail e-mail: kennedy_mi@glan-hafren.ac.uk


Inspiring night

21.03.2003 10:57

It was an inspiring night. So nice to see people taking control of the streets. This is the sort of protest that will start to worry the likes of Blair and Bush. Spontaneous, leaderless and unpredictable.

Police were very obviously undermanned. They are used to demos moving on whenever they ask politely. They are not used to such a sizable crowd deciding for themselves when and where they are moving.

Not sure if sufficient numbers will show tonight, but hey, it's probably worth a go, and if it works, brilliant! But what about also picking a day next week, getting out some publicity etc, giving folks a chance to prepare? Just a thought.

la la