http://www.olympusrpg.com/selforganisedlondon/Events.html
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http://eroding.org.uk/event/no-choice-the-kadt-low-rollers-faintest-idea-noise-complaint-on-sat-9th-feb-at-the-grosvenor-sw9/
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second part of report (see http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7350 for part one)
nb. if you click on pics you get to see larger versions. all pics are copyright, but are free to use non-commercially if credited 'rikki indymedia'
back at piccadilly circus, the sun shone warmer, the sky turned bluer, and people all around were smiling and hugging.
a string of performers took to the sound system, with rappers, poets, singers and speakers, while all around the square among endless small random acts of kindness, there were circus skills performers, drummers, and free huggers.
the planet venus shone brightly in the sky along piccadilly. two chinese fire lanterns were launched, one disappearing across the city, while the other bobbed up and down nearby.
in the moonlight, the eros statue looked magical, with a huge 'reclaim love' banner hanging from it. and then, spontaneously, everyone decided to form another circle, like the one earlier in the park. the pavement cleared as hundreds joined hands around the edge and once again chanted for peace. this ended in a huge group hug, and more music.
as people started clearing up and preparing for the after-party, suddenly a large crowd of jubilant egyptians entered the square, joining the drummers and chanting egyptian peace slogans. with the amazing news coming out of cairo today we shared their joy, and the resonance was profound.
today's 'reclaim love' was probably the best yet, and with news coming in of mirror events around the world including jerusalem and egypt, the movement grows stronger each year.
if you missed it, come next year. it's on the nearest saturday to valentine's day each year and starts at 2pm in piccadilly circus. you can check out venus's website at www.o-i-l.net
Read more >>this is the eighth time 'reclaim love' has taken place around eros in piccadilly circus. it is a celebration of love without the corporate hijack of valentine's day. it is also a growing global movement, with more and more 'mirror' events around the world, including poignantly today, in jerusalem and in egypt. venus' is building towards 2015, when valentine's day falls on a saturday, and she hopes that 2,000,000 people worldwide may begin to shift global consciousness when they all chant "may all the beings in all the worlds be happy and at peace". whatever you make of that plan, today's event in london was a joyous celebration, and a fantastic street party in the heart of the west end. if you missed it, come next year.
nb. if you click on pics you get to see larger versions. all pics are copyright, but are free to use non-commercially if credited 'rikki indymedia'
'reclaim love 8' started well, with an amazingly mild february afternoon, and clouds giving way to a magical blue sky. as people assembled in piccadilly circus, members of SOAS samba, barking batteria, and rhythms of resistance soon drew a large crowd with their exciting dance rhythms. the t-shirt table was set up and people looked through the large pile of free 'reclaim love' t-shirts, finding their favourite styles and colours.
venus took to the mic, and announced that this year she'd been thinking of abandoning the london event, but had been persuaded to continue, and it was looking good. she also explained that this year would include a new twist - a walk to a secret location.
the sound system then led the way along piccadilly, and a crowd of several hundred danced along the street into the sunshine, and eventually into green park, chalking the pavement along the way, and leaving balloons to guide latecomers.
in green park, venus's elves had already marked out areas with a fence of hearts, to avoid damaging the daffodil seedlings. under the tall trees, the circle formed, and everyone held hands and loudly chanted "may all the beings in all the worlds be happy and at peace" over and over, as bemused onlookers broke into smiles.
police came to investigate, along with a wholly unecessary van of riot squad, but venus managed to beguile them and ended up hugging the senior officer and promising to leave soon.
people helped tidy up the area, and we made our way back to piccadilly circus, decorating the fences of green park with chalk along the way.
part 2 to follow.......(http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7351)
Read more >>On a fantastic day when people were celebrating the people's victory in Egypt, another celebration took place in London at the Eros statue at Piccadily - Reclaim Love.
An affirmation of the power of love. A kick against the commercial choc box of valentine's day. A statement of intent.
Much much talk of egypt, and the campaigns against the cuts, and the March 26th TUC protest in London.
Together we are stronger!
This year the celebration took off for Green Park, leaving a chalk trail across the streets and buildings, for a huge circle in the park. Sound systems, chanting, drumming, dancing. Then back to piccadily...
Fun and celebration - sometimes we need that ;)
This was the ten year anniversary since the first reclaim love party in 2001
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gingham@riseup.net or on 07908371094.
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