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kids block on A9

eugenia and sarah | 07.07.2005 18:02 | G8 2005 | London

comments and report by kids and mothers on the baby block against the G8.

picnic at feet of riot cops
picnic at feet of riot cops

place of blockade
place of blockade

clown painting kids
clown painting kids

rythems of resistance and kids
rythems of resistance and kids

mother and child
mother and child

image speakes for itself
image speakes for itself

peace dragon joins us
peace dragon joins us

masked smile
masked smile


The planned baby block colourful convoy was loaded up and ready to go at nine thirty, but police immediately delayed our departure - finally agreeing to let us leave the Stirling Eco-village with an escort (which we shortly after lost).
We were a red double decker bus, about twenty vans and cars, a small Rhythms of resistance samba band, a group of clowns, a load of food and snacks, and all the other accessories necessary for a nice fluffy carnival.
After a bit of confusion over directions and all the police drawn by other blockades, the convoy was slightly scattered, but soon got back together, then to be stalled by police searching the bus.
Finally we found ourselves in a blockade on the bridge over the A9, three quarters of a mile from the hotel. We all got out and immediately brightened up the dull day with some drumming and shaking - the samba band maestred by eleven year old Sienna. The kids picnic soon got started by the feet of riot police who had lined up infront of our blockade and were joined by cheeky clowns and peaceful gieshas. When Critical Mass showed up with the soap box trike there was some frantic dancing in the rain.

There was no trouble throughout the action... it was a beautiful thing.
Following are some statements from the participants...

"It’s important to do something if you want to make a change and a difference. By teaching our children that apathy is not an option then there is hope. “
Mother

“The governments are being completely irresponsible and unsustainable about the use of energy.
Our children’s future is in jeopardy. Pressure needs to be put upon the G8. I didn’t want to have to come here, but was left with no option but to stand up for our planet and species. My daughter wanted to come too and I do not feel irresponsible”.
Mother

“It is their future and the future of their world that is being decided by the 8 old white men behind closed doors. This was the only way left open to make these men hear their voice- and ours- to make them realise that what they are doing is not in our name and does not have our approval.” Mother

“We came here because we want to object to the way that our world is being run by a few corporate meglomaniacs. I think it was very important to bring my child to show the police and the politicians that we care. This world for its future belongs to our children”.
Mother

“The clowns lightened up the atmosphere and even made the police laugh. They are great!
I play in the samba band and sometimes I lead it. Yesterday I went to the kids block on the double Decker bus and everyone really enjoyed it”. Sienna Rodgers, 11 years old

Angel, aged 3, was telling the police to “go away, you bad man”

“I asked a policeman why he was wearing black boots and he said that pink doesn’t really suit his uniform. We were here to make peace and love”.
Sunshine

“One of the children wrote on the road with chalk: ” I like this”.
Mother

“We told the police to go away. The police were scary.”
Heather, 3 years old


eugenia and sarah


Comments

Hide the following 11 comments

Great report

07.07.2005 19:28

Great report and really nice pictures.

mini mouse


BB

07.07.2005 21:50

I like the cops with BB for Baby Bloc on their helmets.

My dad was too scared to take me on a blockade. He just took me to the boring make poverty history march, and wouldn't even let me go with my big sister on the anti-capitalist bloc. Dads are boring. All power to the weans!

Mighty Finn
(6 months)

Mighty Finn


Nice.

07.07.2005 22:20

Awsome pictures well done!

Guido


can i use & credit your photo

08.07.2005 21:06

hello eugenia & sarah... am planning to write (though no time soon) an article about humanizing police in the process of our movements & anti-brutality efforts. i would love to use your photo of the cop "smiling behind mask" if & when i finally publish such an article. would you be willing to give permission? if so, i'd like to credit you, so please email me. thx much & thx for Baby Bloc too. peace.

jennifer
mail e-mail: jennifer@teenempowerment.org


joy!

10.07.2005 11:03

It was a joy to come out with the BB, one of the highlights of the whole thing!

private paddlecakes


best blockade ever

15.07.2005 15:29

We blockaded the bridge over the A9 on the A823 for about 3 hours. Despite the rain the kids spirits were high and much fun was had. Apparently no Canadian delgates got through that day due to us... the riot cops were powereless over a group of children!
May the kidz blok strike again and continue to keep it fluffy wherever we go!
Abi, Gem (6) and Teg (3)

abi
mail e-mail: kelpie@riseup.net


great photos!

15.07.2005 20:15

jejeje. salud

from argentina (3th world)

raas


QUALITY!!

18.07.2005 19:57

Nice one, I was another blockade on the A9. But we all got busted early on :( still was fun chasing buses down the road. Menatl note: take kids nxt time .

Stuart
mail e-mail: WOMBLEKERR@YAHOO.CO.UK


Baby Block : Thanks Of A Clown

19.07.2005 19:50

Thanks to all the baby blockers, clowns, sambistas and all the ultra special drivers. The party was excellent and good spirited bringing a smile and some sunshine to the rain, as well as delaying a few delegates (and possibly, if rumour is correct, some catering supplies).

And it wasn't just the rebel voice of the future kids- the parents are some of the nicest, happiest, most positive people I've met too (missing you all): proof that the sort-of-nice-for-once police were obviously protecting us from the nasties hell bent on megalomaniac universal domination plotting away in Gleneagles Hotel.

Ever felt you're part of something knowing the truths that those against you are blind to?

Thanks to everyone, and on this one to the police (see, you can police a demo without stirring up a riot or denying public feeling.)

Sir Ender U Mustbejoking
CIRCA clownbattant and rampant prankster

Sir Ender U Mustbejoking
mail e-mail: theymustbejoking@riseup.net
- Homepage: http://www.clownarmy.org


BB - what does it really mean, answers on a postcard...

21.07.2005 23:36

BB for Baby Block, Big Bother or Big Brother?

Bully boys? Bad boys?

Better bobbies maybe as they were friendly.

martin, infatuated with the red dreadlocks :o)
mail e-mail: dj_m_artistic@yahoo.com


i like this

31.10.2005 02:03

hey, great action!.
keep it funny, innocent and real.

rising son


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