despite 'news' on bbc radio in london that this later 'unofficial' solidarity vigil had been cancelled, about 120 people gathered at Stockwell Tube last night, with Caporeira and an open mike.
The news went out on indymedia and the bbc that the planned local vigil after the event for the family and justice for Jean Charles campaign had been cancelled and the family sent a public message that they totally supported those who might have attended, going on the anti war demonstration, as an appropriate way to remember Jean Charles.
Indeed, many of us did this, but people from various concious hiphop collectives and 'peacenotwar' organised an open mike session in the early evening, to give everyone time to get to Stockwell after the march.
It got going about 6, with half an hour of Caporeira, then a constant stream of people took the mike, with lyrics, poetry and their personal reflections. The vibe was really lovely, with more sense coming out in rhymes than you'd hear in a month of sundays from the bbc et al.
The message was clear, no more war, no more police killings, no more impunity for state violence - not in our name.
Loads of local people stopped on their way home to listen, and the crowd swelled. Cars and buses honked their horns, and one guy on a motorbike did an impressive series of orcestrated back fires
At one point, two transport police came and lurked at the station entrance, but somebody went over to let them know they really weren't welcome and they disappeared. Apart from that, no boys in blue....not really surprising.
Big up to London's hiphop community who got this together. this is the kind of london ting we need - autonomous, creative unity, speaking out for justice and truth.
it's the kind of thing that scares the shit of the 'man'.
if anybody's got some photos, post them up.
Indeed, many of us did this, but people from various concious hiphop collectives and 'peacenotwar' organised an open mike session in the early evening, to give everyone time to get to Stockwell after the march.
It got going about 6, with half an hour of Caporeira, then a constant stream of people took the mike, with lyrics, poetry and their personal reflections. The vibe was really lovely, with more sense coming out in rhymes than you'd hear in a month of sundays from the bbc et al.
The message was clear, no more war, no more police killings, no more impunity for state violence - not in our name.
Loads of local people stopped on their way home to listen, and the crowd swelled. Cars and buses honked their horns, and one guy on a motorbike did an impressive series of orcestrated back fires
At one point, two transport police came and lurked at the station entrance, but somebody went over to let them know they really weren't welcome and they disappeared. Apart from that, no boys in blue....not really surprising.
Big up to London's hiphop community who got this together. this is the kind of london ting we need - autonomous, creative unity, speaking out for justice and truth.
it's the kind of thing that scares the shit of the 'man'.
if anybody's got some photos, post them up.
