Protestors, performers & police get ready for Condi visit

Pressure on LIPA & the Philharmonic

Merseyside Stop the War continue to demonstrate outside LIPA, who have refused (unlike the Philharmonic) to even meet with the protestors to hear their concerns. Rose Gentle of Military Families Against the War, who spoke at a public meeting in Liverpool last night, has joined the LIPA protest.

Since Roger McGough pulled out of compereing the concert at the Philharmonic tomorrow, and Cathy Tyson has turned them down too, the Phil are keeping quiet about who will actually host the event.

Some members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra are refusing to take part. They would not even be allowed to wear anti-war badges as a sign of protest on stage. Singer Jennifer John of Sense of Sound will perform but has chosen the anti-war anthem Imagine, saying "The opportunity to stand opposite the most powerful black woman in history whose politics I do not share, and sing Imagine, is not something I could refuse." (from Daily Post report)

Security tightening up

Hope Street is already reported to be swarming with police. And apparently the Council has paid its contractors digging up Hope Street bonuses to finish up quickly and ensure no loose stones are left anywhere along its length (just in case) - what is this saying about the council's view of anti-war protesters and campaigners?

The policing budget for the visit is £1.5 million.

IMC Liverpool

Comments

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Hope it shows up on her resume

30.03.2006 16:26

I hope singing for Condi is such an opportunity that Jennifer John puts it on her resume. We'll have to remind her to do so, because if she doesn't people will suspect that she knew it was wrong.

Julian Todd

pics of thurs demo outside hotel

30.03.2006 21:31

Protests outside Condoleeza Rice's hotel in Liverpool

Today at 6 protesters gathered outside Condis hopestreet hotel to start the events on this 2 day unwelcoming event. Large numbers of banners and lound chanting ensured it had a large profile.

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photo of thurs

30.03.2006 21:48

Thse are some photos of demo outside hope street hotel today.

singing can be another way of shouting your rage

31.03.2006 08:48

i think that singing 'imagine' is another way of protesting and letting her know what people think about the US policies that she (Condoleeza Rice) represents; in fact, one suspects that it is far more effective that meeting and shouting outside LIPA, the Hope St. Hotel or any other building, as we know that she won't be disturbed at all, protected as she is by numbers of bodyguards and tight security.
Without pretending to be critical of those who choose to use this traditional way of protesting (i'm one of them), I also think that we have to accept other strategies and means of making people's voices heard.
I welcome the courage of this singer and would be please if more people involved in the performance would choose to do the same.

the other

hotel demo photos

31.03.2006 10:56

Have done a separate newswire article displaying your photos

IMC Liverpool

There's no profit in peace

14.08.2006 11:46

Well done to the two thousand who demoed against Rice. As a scouser in Ireland I heard nothing about it> Suprise suprise.

How can Blair be an honest broder in the Middle East when the UK supplies Israel with its weapons. And we've seen the pictures of the death, mutilation and maiming that these weapons do. You see it's in their interest to perpetuate this war on terror. Some endless , invisible enemy, after all they need to sell, and try out their new wapons on somebody.

My experinces of living in the UK were ones of starving on sickness benefit and being treated like a tenth class citizen. Meanwhile how much has Blair spent on his illegal war? I've seen no major media ask him this question. The US has spent 350 billion so someone is laughing all the way to the bank as the children and women die on the streets of Lebanon.

We are not laughing and we are serious in exposing the myth of Blair and his phoney democracy. In the War on terror we now find ourselves targets due to an incompetnet, greedy, arrogant and inhumane government. It's time for the people of peace and light
to show the way and you are doing this. I am so proud of everyone of you and will be running
for priminister next week. But don't vote for me, vote with your feet at the next anti War demo,
All my love, kisses and best wishes. Peace be with you. Dave

Dave
mail e-mail: Destinytide@HOTMAIL.COM

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