Tamilgotcha! Westminster Bridge occupied for 3 hours - Sat 31st Jan

akhbar | 03.02.2009 02:24 | Anti-racism | Terror War | World

On Saturday 31st January, 100,000 people marched past the Houses of Parliament in protest at Sri Lanka's war against it's own Tamil minority. A breakaway group of around 80 left the prescribed route and sat down on Westminster bridge, the police were able to quickly drag them back onto the pavement. But when a far larger group pushed through police lines to join them, the police were overwhelmed. Having only allowed for a march of 5,000, they were unable to move the protesters on until sufficient backup units arrived hours later.

The march arrives at Parliament Square, 3pm

Street theatre is monitored for impartiality

War is peace, slavery is freedom

Marchers still streaming past, 4pm

Meanwhile on Westminster Bridge, a breakaway group

"Let me help you up"

...not a happy one

The police have everything under control

But what's that in the distance?

Hundreds more arrive and retake the bridge

Followed by the not-so-Forward Intelligence Team

Tensions rise as police try to keep marchers to the offical route

press freedom placard

As darkness falls, the crowd hold the bridge, 5pm

In spite of the cold they stay put, 6pm

All the police can do is stand and watch

Eventually reinforcements arrive

The road is gradually cleared of protesters, 7pm

For more information on the Tamil struggle see:

http://www.tamilsforum.com/

http://www.tamilidpcrisis.org/

http://www.tamilwritersguild.com/

akhbar

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Great headline

03.02.2009 09:50

IMCista

Children

03.02.2009 10:47

Have these demonstrators also found time to campaign against the LTTE forcibly recruiting children?

Polly Peck

Hollow words

03.02.2009 13:42

"Have these demonstrators also found time to campaign against the LTTE forcibly recruiting children?"

Have you? When's your next event

Trolly Dreck

Accept it...

03.02.2009 14:15

Just accept it Trolly Dreck - the LTTE has an abysmal record of abuse and exploitation. Those who want to advance the cause of the Tamils (which presumably includes those who demonstrated at the weekend) should take every opportunity to distance themselves from the LTTE.

Long John Copper

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I love a good condemnathon as much as any decent person...

04.02.2009 12:21

But I'm dismayed that you've wasted a perfect opportunity to criticise the TVMP and SLDF responsibility for their own abductions and conscription of child soldiers.

I can only assume that you lack the basic humanity to see how important it is to furthering the cause of the Tamils, that you deliver an even-handed denunciation of everybody involved before commenting on any aspect of the Sri Lankan conflict. This is no time for partisan politicking.

Aaronabitch
Homepage: http://decentpedia.blogspot.com/2007/08/will-you-condemn-thon.html

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