Million Women Rise 2008 - London, March 8, 2008

Peter Marshall | 09.03.2008 17:35 | London | World

The London march of this International Women’s Day event saw several thousand in an all-woman march from near Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square for a rally. The march was aimed against all forms of male violence against women, and supported by women from a very wide range of groups.
Pictures copyright © 2008, Peter Marshall. All rights reserved.

The march starts

Global Women's Strike banner

New Approach to Police photography

March reaches Piccadilly Circus

At Piccadilly Circus

The march started at 1pm when several thousand women (my estimate was 2,500) made their way out of Hyde Park and onto Park Lane behind the main banner ‘Million Women Rise – together we can end violence against women…. Dedicated to the dignity of women across the world, the march did appear to show a remarkable solidarity between women from all kinds of organisations; among those I noticed were the WI (Womens Institute) and X:Talk (offering free English classes for sex workers.)

As well as placards, banners and T-shirts from a number of organisations, there were also many women carrying obviously very strongly personally felt statements against male violence.

This was an all-woman march and I had to work from the sidelines. The police had responded with an unusually high proportion of women officers, although their presence was hardly required other than for traffic control. The only incident with police I saw during the march was an argument with a woman standing on a roadside box taking pictures of the march who ignored their requests to come down. I can't think she was endangering herself or others, but there seem to be a few police who don't like photographers climbing on anything. Usually I just take my picture and get down when requested - it doesn't seem worth arguing.

I left Trafalgar Squares as the rally started, needing a rest (and, as it happened, a Shropshire Lass.) Later I was dismayed to hear that at least one of those expected to speak had been prevented from addressing the rally after the organisers had read her draft text.

More about this – and many more pictures – on My London Diary soon.

http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2008/03/mar.htm#rise

Peter Marshall
e-mail: petermarshall@cix.co.uk
Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk

Comments

Hide the following 8 comments

Re: New Approach to Police photography

09.03.2008 19:15

Could "McDonalds" currently be breeding these specimens?

new breed

New approach to policing? No it's.......

09.03.2008 21:02

That's not a real copper, it's Rene from Allo, Allo' in his latest role.
Bob.

Bob Grither

Wow

09.03.2008 23:32

If that why they call them pigs?

Na'ne

Donut

10.03.2008 14:52

So thats what all the fuss was about on Saturday. I was sitting in traffic on Edgware Rd in slowly over heating car after driving back from Leicestershire. Never seen so may police cars.

Sad to see prevention of freedom of speech rearing it's ugly head again and on a march like this. So what if someone has a different opinion. Lets have mature and open debate not just one point of view.

I also hope Muslim oppression of Women (forced marriges, child abduction and female circumcision to name a few subjects) was mentioned as well

Cris

Re: Police comments

10.03.2008 15:57

The police were very respectful on that day. We want to say thank you. B & S

Stonewater

Who doesn't warrant respect from them?

10.03.2008 18:29

Respectful "on that day"? You say it like it's unusual for the police to be so. They should be respectful to the public every bloody time, not just when it suits them. Their only legitimate role in respect of demonstrations is to facilitate them. That they did what they are supposed to do on this occasion does not warrant special thanks.

Annie Citizen
Homepage: http://www.rightsandwrongsuk.blogspot.com

living and walking the truth

13.03.2008 22:58

I marched this march with my best friend Val, her daughter, her work collegues, and her service uses, all from Nottingham.
how warmed if felt in the middle of so such great women and those around me of all ages such greatness together This has bought a new feeling of well being to me and I thank you all .......... How great we are and how great our children will be. ........

wonda

wonda

Hunk

20.03.2008 17:30

Well I think he's rather dishy

N Woodward

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