DSEi Critical Mass
Raif | 11.09.2003 07:59 | DSEi 2003 | Anti-militarism | London
Photos are 'copyleft' only in relation to radical and progressive non-profit use.
David Blaine considers ending his confinement stunt to join the protest
Even Critical Mass has to wait when Tower Bridge is up
New buildings and old are livened up by the cycle sound system
Indecision on the congestion charge boundary
Riding with lots of public support through Whitechapel in the East End
Crossing the River Lea with Canary Wharf behind
One cyclist makes his point outside ExCel while pondering his next move
After crossing the Thames at London Bridge, the mass then turned back over Tower Bridge, only to find it open for a sailing boat catching the tide out. After further indecision on the major junction on the north side of Tower Bridge (on the congestion charge boundary), everyone moved off to Aldgate then east past the edge of Banglatown to the Docklands. Leaflets were handed out to passers-by, other cyclists and those in vehicles with much support, while some shouted slogans against the arms industry and DSEi.
Security guards at Canary Wharf blocked the road refusing passage claiming they could say what they wanted as the area was private property and there was no right to demonstrate there. Police happily reinforced their ranks acting for free as heavies against those peacefully protesting for peace; trespass is only a civil not a criminal matter.
The mass ended up just after noon outside the south side of Connaught Bridge where a police line blocked further progress though a few managed to make a dash for it. The mass then diverged as seamlessly as it had converged though many of those protesting later in the day had cycles with them and used them to their advantage.
Raif
Homepage:
http://www.citycyclists.org.uk