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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
The march arrives at Parliament Square, 3pm

Street theatre is monitored for impartiality
Street theatre is monitored for impartiality

War is peace, slavery is freedom
War is peace, slavery is freedom

Marchers still streaming past, 4pm
Marchers still streaming past, 4pm

Meanwhile on Westminster Bridge, a breakaway group
Meanwhile on Westminster Bridge, a breakaway group

"Let me help you up"
"Let me help you up"

...not a happy one
...not a happy one

The police have everything under control
The police have everything under control

But what's that in the distance?
But what's that in the distance?

Hundreds more arrive and retake the bridge
Hundreds more arrive and retake the bridge

Followed by the not-so-Forward Intelligence Team
Followed by the not-so-Forward Intelligence Team

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

press freedom placard
press freedom placard

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

In spite of the cold they stay put, 6pm
In spite of the cold they stay put, 6pm

All the police can do is stand and watch
All the police can do is stand and watch

Eventually reinforcements arrive
Eventually reinforcements arrive

The road is gradually cleared of protesters, 7pm
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

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

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