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Yet Another Parliament Square Eviction

Larissa Ambleside | 20.10.2007 01:14 | Anti-militarism

Maria Gallastegui camped atop David Lloyd George's empty plinth for 30+ hours in an attempt to solve the paradox of where to put the tents in Parliament Square. The GLA will not allow them on the grass and the campaigners are being accused of obstruction now that they are on the pavement (where the GLA dumped them). A police operation evicted Maria from the plinth at around 9pm (Oct 19th '07).



Maria has been living in a tent as one of Brian Haw's supporters for over one year and has been a supporter of Brian almost since day 1 of his campaign. On the 18th Oct '07, Ken Livingston ordered the removal of protesters tents from the grassy area of Parliament Square amid false allegations that they were using the square as a toilet. This is also despite the fact that by law Brian's display has to be monitored 24/7 and a court ruling allowed tents to be erected to facilitate this. The tents were badly damaged and left dumped on the pavement by the GLA's bouncers. The tents were erected on the pavement and the protesters then accused of causing an obstruction. Maria solved this paradox by placing her tent upon David Lloyd Geroge's empty plinth (the tent neither on the grass or pavement). George's statue expected to be erected within a few days. After a successful 30+ hour occupation of the plinth police moved in and evicted Maria. Maria came down peacefully after being told that she would be removed tonight.

Maria began her lone plinth protest yesterday:
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/383907.html

Last night a scaffold was put up around the plinth and plastic sheeting around the scaffold effectively sealing Maria in and hiding the plinth-tent from public view.

After the eviction more scaffolding was welded into place followed by barbed wire to prevent any more attempts at occupying the plinth.

Mobile phone footage of the eviction can be found below. Apologies for the poor quality and the fact they are unedited, alas there were no camcorders available at the time of the eviction.

Maria in her new abode:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTz8Ww5sHWw

Police arrive suddenly :
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmAL8RdFN3E

Police in climbing gear arrive:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg4rnDLNZNk

Brian gets his megaphone:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIMwih2Wpmo

Maria evicted:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1eo9FCdXLI

Larissa Ambleside

Comments

Display the following 3 comments

  1. Not to worry! — Doug.
  2. Correction — Larissa Ambleside
  3. Blushes — Larissa Ambleside