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imc-dispatch | 03.08.2008 19:49

The day started and ended with rain but for the most part was sunny, dry but windy. Most of the neighbourhoods have their infrastructure pretty sorted and kitchen serving food. The media 'village' now has it's full complement of structures and although some are literally held up with bits of string, it's looking good despite being two days behind schedule. Everything is running behind thanks to continuing vindictive obstruction by the police.

Meanwhile, the mobile police station and associated vehicles have now withdraw from the entrance to the camp at some point during the afternoon so the camp now has full control of both vehicle access points into the field. However, the police say the road is now closed. The climate caravan arrived and every person, bike and bag was search in the pouring rain before being allowed up to the site where they were meet by cheering campers. For full summary of the day see this article.

17:00
The march began in Rochester where it was was joined by the Climate Caravan. Before the start there were several inspiring speakers and curious local onlookers. The march got under way with a large police presence, including a FIT photographer and a very loud helicopter. Back at the Camp searches were taking place in a nearby car park and again at the entrance to the site. The reason given on my written search report, aka 'pink slip', was “Information of criminal intent Climate Camp” and the power given was 'Section 1'. Having a pink slip avoided the second search and should be demanded from the police when searched. You don't have to give your name and address.

The police have now left the Camp entrance, which has quickly been blocked by a temporary barrier of wheelie bins, to stop the cops returning, but the mass searches down the road continued. Finally, the Caravan and March approached the Camp just as it started to rain.

Photos from the march: [1] [2] | video

14:25
Reports from camp state that it has started raining again, and that the camp is very colourful with flags fluttering and people moving around the site with wheelbarrows - carrying equipment, pitching tents and building more camp infrastructure. The police continue to try and hamper activity and have now stated they will not allow any more vehicles onto the site. A helicopter flew over the site warning drivers that if they did not move their vehicles from the back gate then they would be towed away. Campers were able to show that the legislation police say they were acting under applies only to abandoned vehicles, and for now the police have left the back gate. Later this afternoon the caravan and march are expected at the site.

10:06
It was raining this morning at the climate camp but has stopped now and the ground dries out really quickly. Nether-the-less it would be wise to bring waterproofs and boots. Police are searching everybody, often several times and as far away as strood station. They continue to take a wide variety of completely innocent items. Read article for more.


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