After the Evening Post reported on the 13th July that the "Prime Minister Tony Blair was to visit Nottingham this month to give a speech on public health", various articles appeared on the Notts Indymedia newswire. Speculating about dates, times and venues. Many people seemed keen on attending the event. It has now become known that Tony Blair will visit Nottingham tommorrow (July 26th) and will attend an event at the The Albert Hall, North Circus St (off Derby Rd), Nottingham, NG1 5AA. Doors open at 09:30, and the event will finish around 12:30.
Update: 26/07/06 In spite of a large police presence and the blocking of many roads at the rear of the Albert Hall, about 25 protestors gathered to show their anger at Blair and suited delegates about his inaction over Israel's actions in Lebanon, the occupation of Iraq, and his destruction of civil liberties and public services. As usual, we were heavily surveilled by police with cameras, camcorders, and by spotters in black from the roofs of nearby buildings. A sympathetic cyclist was stopped and questioned by police for a while for, urm, cycling.
Meanwhile Kirk Jackson, a local anarchist, who'd infiltrated the hall, took off his shirt to reveal anti-war slogans painted on his chest, and proceeded to disrupt Blair's fantasies with a speech on Iraq. "I think the view I was putting across represents the view of many people in this country," he said, "I could have kept quiet, asked a question and got a prepared response from the Prime Minister but I wanted to take a bigger stand." Read full article with photos.
Other press: Evening Post [1] [2] | BBC
When Tony Blair visited Nottingham previously to set out new plans for a nuclear power policy, up to 100 people blockaded the East Midlands conference centre, where the meeting was held. Mr. Blair was forced to flee through the backdoor in order to leave the premises.
Previous feature article: Day of action as Tony Blair sets out new nuclear power policy in Nottingham
On the newswire: Protests Greet Blair in Nottingham | End the Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon! - Nottm Protest | Blair in Nottingham | "What issue would YOU like to raise with Tony Blair when he comes to Nottingham?
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More Pix by Tash: Prime Minister visits Nottingham : Day 1 [Djanogly Academy] | Prime Minister visits Nottingham : Day 2 [Albert Hall] |
Back in January, Mr Blair dropped into the East Midlands Conference Centre on the Nottingham University Campus. Naturally, he was met with protest there also. See these links:
Prime Minister visits Nottingham University :: piccys 1 Prime Minister visits Nottingham University :: piccys 2 Prime Minister visits Nottingham University :: Surveillance Operations
