pics from freedom of movement protest in london today

rikki | 02.04.2005 19:56 | Indymedia | London

several hundred people marched in east london today in solidarity with 5 other british demos and dozens more across the continent. the europe-wide day of action was calling for freedom of movement and the rights of migrants of ALL economic status.

start of the march

some protestors

iraqi refugee group

freedom of movement

some more protestors

pedal power

no-one is illegal

all nations are prison camps

samba 1

samba 2

samba 3

i look really silly in this hat (says the one on the left)

not just for the rich

communications house

no-one would come out

freedom outside

more samba

and the beats go on

live and let live

keep fit in the park

about 500 people joined the march starting from clerkenwell green. originally planned to go to london fields in hackney, police only agreed to allow it as far as haggerston park where a rally took place.

on route, a petition was handed in at the home office 'communications house' at old street, where asylum seekers have to sign on regularly and often enter the building not knowing whether they might be forcibly deported.

no spokesman from the centre would come out to talk to the delegation despite workers being clearly seen at the windows.

the march and rally attracted a wide cross-section of people and generations united in protest at the unjustness of immigration laws that discriminate against the poor and that are clearly racist in their result.

along the march, the ubiquitous 'rhythms of resistance' samba band (with some support from sheffield) kept people's steps light and attracted attention to the protest with their rousing and loud rhythms.

further information and campaigning ideas on these issues can be found at the following websites:

www.noborders.org
www.barbedwirebritain.org.uk
www.noii.org.uk

rikki