Around 20 people gathered on Monday lunchtime, reduced perhaps by events elsewhere in the city, in the small Mayfair street where the Burmese Ambassador hides away. Over half those present were Burmese.
On Friday there had been as many as twice the number, including several students, sign perhaps that people are quickly forgetting the outrage they felt when this was the issue of the moment almost two weeks ago, though Saturday's march showed many are still concerned. Being an unfamiliar face, I was thanked for showing up, and it was clear that those present had a humility often lacking in British protests.
Last Friday this had been the scene of a bizarre moment where two students attempted to set fire to a picture of Dictator Than Shwe, only to rip it up when confronted by a police officer (of whom there are rarely very many). The same police officer subsequently threatened the students with arrest for what appeared to be 'embarrassing an ambassador', which has never been a crime.
Protests continue every weekday, 12noon to 1pm, opposite 19a Charles Street. From Green Park tube, head north to Berkeley Square, from which Charles Street runs west.
'Total out of Burma': This Wednesday, 8am, Cavendish Square, near Oxford Circus.
Last Friday this had been the scene of a bizarre moment where two students attempted to set fire to a picture of Dictator Than Shwe, only to rip it up when confronted by a police officer (of whom there are rarely very many). The same police officer subsequently threatened the students with arrest for what appeared to be 'embarrassing an ambassador', which has never been a crime.
Protests continue every weekday, 12noon to 1pm, opposite 19a Charles Street. From Green Park tube, head north to Berkeley Square, from which Charles Street runs west.
'Total out of Burma': This Wednesday, 8am, Cavendish Square, near Oxford Circus.
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