the three day conference of aviation bigwigs sees them discussing airport expansion at the waldorf hilton in london. tonight, they planned to have a gala dinner at tower bridge. there have been various actions called, which were designed to disrupt the conference at the hotel, and plans for the dinner included 'tango on the bridge', a samba band, a noisy boat protest, and a critical mass.

i joined the critical massers who met at london bridge. they numbered around 30 cyclists, including a sound system, and a model aeroplane. messages from spotters kept the mass informed as to the whereabouts of the delegates, and the plan was to disrupt the travel by coach from the waldorf to tower bridge.

the bridge itself was under massive police protection, with cops all along the bridge, plus virtual blockades at each end, including dogs. no expense was spared to protect the climate destroyers from any inconvenience. police stopped, questioned and sometimes searched anyone they thought fitted the stereotype of protester. one pavement of the bridge was closed down except for a very small 'free protest zone'. the other side was monitored and people had to keep moving.

the mass set off from london bridge and headed north across the bridge, with half a dozen cycle cops in attendance. they then headed in a long circle towards southwark bridge, while waiting for news of the delegates' coaches. coming back along the embankment, the signal came, and suddenly, cyclists dismounted, lock-on pipes emerged, and the road was very nearly taken. police moved swiftly and aggressively to try and stop the lock-on, and although it was partially successful, word came through that the coaches had slipped down another route, and so the action was called off. despite this, and in fact after it had been made clear that the action was over, at least two of the demonstrators were arrested, one for 'obstruction of the highway', the other presumably likewise.

the rest of the mass continued on to tower bridge where there seemed to be even more police. a slow (and very loud, thanks to the sound system) procession made its way once more south and then back north over the bridge, and then headed off to toynbee hall to discuss the action and make plans for any further moves that evening.

the last day of the conference is tomorrow, so there is still time if you wish to plan your own action at the waldorf hilton.

your climate needs you!

www.roadalert.org.uk
www.earthfirst.org.uk