G20 protests- anyone else watching?

I've been watching this on Sky News, interesting stuff. Currently watching the windows of the Royal Bank of Scotland being smashed- police are nowhere near it which seems a little strange given its prominence in the bailout and the controversy over "Fred the Shred".

Anyone else watching?

[torz]

nope but I may put it on just now cheers me dears xxx

RBS- give them an easy target and it justifies bringing in the riot police, who have now pushed the protestors back. A slow escalation of forces?

[Jacqui D]

Just tuned in Steve, seems they have it under control huh! They actually put 30,000 police on for just this prob!!! Didn't know we had 30,000 police lol.
They have been gearing up for this.
They said on the news this morning that bankers had dressed down today no grey suits, so as not make themselves a target!
Even the banks had brought in catering firms so their employees wouldn't have to get out and get food.

[Northern Boy]

keep us posted on anything new

23 arrests (some for throwing eggs! the bloodthirsty maniacs!), no massacres so far

[Jacqui D]

Originally Posted by Steve_G

23 arrests (some for throwing eggs! the bloodthirsty maniacs!), no massacres so far

lol! hope those eggs didn't carry somenella!

[Antaletriangle]

I haven't got sky tv or any cable stuff-anyway to access online current news? I have just turned the tv on first time in ages lol. All there is is two quiz programmes sell out yer souls stuff and a touch of frost (detective programme) a cooking programme etc. Yeah exactly; PROGRAMME!! lol.
Video on link below:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/f...n-violent.html
A small number of demonstrators forced their way into the building on Threadneedle Street near the Bank of England after smashing windows and throwing smoke grenades.

Hundreds of protesters cheered as office equipment including a printer was carried out of the building – which is believed to have been empty – before riot police wielding batons managed to force the crowds back.


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Watch videos of G20 summit and protests The rampage inside RBS will raise questions about the effectiveness of the £7.2 million security operation. The bailed-out bank was known to be a target of anti-capitalist groups in advance of the protests, but police efforts had concentrated on defending its headquarters on Bishopsgate in Liverpool Street, around half a mile away.

Twenty-three people were arrested as protesters clashed with police around the Bank of England, which was the focus of today's anti-capitalist and anarchist demonstrations.

A group of 4,000 were penned in by officers who cordoned off surrounding streets amid what Scotland Yard called "increasing levels of violence". Some City workers threw fake bank notes down at the protesters from their office windows.

Clashes later erupted at Mansion House Street and Queen Victoria Street near the Bank, with police forced to deploy ten vans and hundreds of officers to rescue a van that had been surrounded by protesters who shook it from side to side.

Earlier, violence erupted during a tense stand off between demonstrators – many with covered faces – and police outside the Bank of England. One man, bleeding from the head, was repeatedly seen to apparently goad officers, who did not respond.

At one point, a black-clad man in the crowd struck an officer with a long pole. The officer was pulled away by colleagues and required treatment at the scene.

All roads leading towards the Bank of England remained blocked at 3.30pm, with many peaceful demonstrators claiming that they were being prevented from leaving by police. Others said they had seen incidents of police brutality and complained that officers had occasionally "gone over the top".

Pauline Smith, 70, a retired lollipop lady from Rickmansworth, Herts, was one of those in the crowd. She said: "I'm here to protest about the banks and to uphold the rights of people who can't be here. I feel a bit worried when there's a surge in the crowd but people are very helpful to me.

"I think we should make as much noise as possible to be heard but not do anything illegal."

Elsewhere in the capital, environmental campaigners staged a successful "swoop" outside the European Climate Exchange on Bishopsgate, with more than 1,000 people bringing tents to set up camp for the night.

Some protesters staged impromptu music gigs, drumming and even used a bubble machine. One group set up a farmers' market stall and were selling cakes and vegetables.

Initially, police and journalists were in danger of outnumbering the protesters in the City but as the day wore on the crowds thickened.

A diverse group of interests are represented by the protesters, who include those lobbying for action against the banks, greater protection of the environment or just downright anarchy, among several others.

One group, G20 Meltdown, planned four carnival parades into the heart of the financial district led by effigies of the "four horsemen of the apocalypse", representing war, climate chaos, financial crimes and land enclosures.

Hundreds gathered at London Bridge station for a march against financial crimes.

Two protesters climbed on to the plinth supporting Wellington's statue, sited opposite the entrance to the Bank of England, and unfurled a banner calling for action on homelessness.

Officers standing on the steps at the front of the Bank of England were pelted with fruit as protesters scrambled beneath them.

Several police helmets were also grabbed and thrown in the air as dozens of protesters surged forward and forced officers to retreat on to higher plinths at the base of the building.

A red smoke canister was set off, leaving at least one officer covered in bright red powder.

Roger Little, 27, an administration worker from Birmingham, said he travelled overnight with four friends to join the day of protest.

He said: "I am not a member of any of the groups represented today but I felt compelled to come down.

"We are going to march with a noisy protest in the middle of the City to show the people that are benefiting most from this system that we are not going to put up with it."

Jon Simmons, 31, a charity worker from Ealing, in west London, said he and several friends took the day off work to try to make their voices heard.

Mr Simmons, who was dressed in brightly-coloured military clothing, said: "I hope it will be a peaceful and relaxed day of protest with a lot of people coming together.

"Of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, we are the black horse, and we are supporting people who are landless and homeless."

Office workers looked down from upper-storey windows and waved cash at the demonstrators as the protest made its way down Old Broad Street.

The gesture was met with jeers and angry shouts from demonstrators.

Young and old joined in the demonstration and hundreds made their way slowly and peacefully towards the Bank of England.

Many protesters carried signs – most raising financial and climate change issues.

One sign read "Ice sheets melting, take action". Another said "Consumers suck" and another read "Carbon change too little too late".

There was a carnival atmosphere as marchers crossed London Bridge with numerous camera crews, photographers and reporters in tow.

Banners calling for an end to the war and effigies of hanged bankers were hoisted in the air as a brass band played a jaunty tune.

Malte Arhelger, who lives in Brussels, said he made the trip to the capital for two reasons – "Love and politics".

Standing with his girlfriend, he said: "Hopefully the march will be as peaceful as possible.

"The march on Saturday has shown it's possible to put important issues to the forefront without violence."

Mr Arhelger, who is German, stood with a banner proclaiming: "Make love not leverage."

His girlfriend, Eva Nilsson, 26, from Finland, who lives in Stepney Green, east London, said: "There are so many problems in the financial markets and now is the time, because of the G20, to build up pressure so that Government creates more regulations."

The procession progressed slowly across the bridge headed by a giant banner which read: "Capitalism isn't working."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/f...n-violent.html

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[Steve_A]

Hi Steve_G,

I have on BBC World and CNN. Becky Anderson (I like her ) was stood in front of some Earth friendly people wanting to save the Earth.

Apparently they wanted to fill their bellies up with wine and beer also which sort of made them look not too serious about being defenders of the Earth.

The stigma of drinking on duty.

Even the anchor in the studio made a remark.

Best regards,

Steve

Originally Posted by Steve_G

I've been watching this on Sky News, interesting stuff. Currently watching the windows of the Royal Bank of Scotland being smashed- police are nowhere near it which seems a little strange given its prominence in the bailout and the controversy over "Fred the Shred".

Anyone else watching?

The RBS branch was left completely undefended. They didn't even bother to board the windows up, and the police stood and watched while they were smashed up.

I just watched ITV News at Ten, and they had a section titled "DISRUPTION AND DESTRUCTION" that focused exclusively on those windows. They didn't mention the lack of preparation, or the fact it was the only bank that wasn't defended, just that "a mob" (which was actually half a dozen people) "rampaged" and caused the damage. The ITV reporter even had the nerve to state in a regretful (and entirely insincere) tone that these would be the images capturing the headlines!

And THAT was why it was left undefended. Instead of having to focus on why people were so pi**ed off and the strength of feeling demonstrated by the protests they could concentrate solely on this one incident, which was about the ONLY damage caused all day!

You gotta love it!

[Truthseeker360]

Message i sent this afternoon

[QUOTE]piers you watchin sky news!!!

tptb turn there darkness on peacefull protest.
These ptb hooligans maskerading as protesters.
ok sure few who just like a ruk but are we to be led to believe that building & shops never boarded before in uk when protests are being held.
Yet this time they are,?? and coincidentally Rbs bank windows smashed.
What web do they weave this time .
But sometrimes people can not see the wood for the trees>

Love light & clarity [QUOTE]

[peaceandlove]

Yahoo News, Slideshow and Videos

Not sure if these were included in the telegraph article above.

Protesters clash with police at Bank of England

By RAPHAEL G. SATTER, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 14 mins ago

LONDON – Chanting G-20 protesters clashed with riot police in central London on Wednesday, overwhelming police lines, vandalizing the Bank of England and smashing windows at the Royal Bank of Scotland. An effigy of a banker was set ablaze, drawing cheers.

More than 30 people were arrested after some 4,000 anarchists, anti-capitalists, environmentalists and others clogged London's financial district for what demonstrators branded "Financial Fool's Day." The protests were called ahead of Thursday's Group of 20 summit of world leaders, who hope to take concrete steps to resolve the global financial crisis that has lashed nations and workers worldwide.

Late in the day, police said a man had been reported to have collapsed near one of the protest camps and responding officers were unable to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. It was unclear if the man was a protester, and the cause of death was under investigation.


Article continues with photos and videos: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090401/...u/g20_protests

[peaceandlove]

Fantastic news report from France24 G20. 4/1/2009

Video (3:05): http://feveriam.wordpress.com/

Commentary by feveriam:

It’s amazing how the MSM will try to spin things… The protestors “WANT the NWO”? like WTF has she been smoking?

Well perhaps it is more a Real World Order - one we, the people, choose to support - and not the NWO the rich elite and ‘our’ political leaders would love to shove down our throats!

It has come time for a quiet revolution - one based on peaceful protest. Study Ghandi.

Gather together and simply sit in the middle of the street. Sit in the middle of the A4 in Knightsbridge; sit in the middle of Liverpool Street in the City (Although Commercial Street would be more appropriate).

It is not until access by road and rail is disrupted that the ‘City’ (a corporation, BTW) will pay attention. Hell - you should have been sitting in the Mall when they were off to see the Queen!

Can someone please plan the next 35,000 strong (or more) crowd to simply sit in the streets? It is far more effective! None of this march nonsense - if all the major roads into London were blocked the cost to the ‘corporations’ would be enormous…

Peace

[Aerizhut]

Watching, we are! Live Webcasts start tomorrow at 7AM:

http://www.londonsummit.gov.uk/en/me...ve-webcasting/

[Anchor]

When I worked in London left work early (central london) and I went to want an anti-capitalist rally that was going on at the time.

It was (had been) a peacefull event, and I was there taking photos, chatting with some protestors, dressed in my pin-stripe suit, shirt and tie.

None of this dress down **** (which was sad, because you could spot the dressed down workers a mile off in thier expensive chino's and shirts lol!).

Anyway the worse danger I faced was nearly being run down by a police baton charge who decided that some of the people outside a pub were a bit rowdy - then this all kind of escalated into a bit of a riot with police horses, camera squads etc. I took some shots of that and then went home.

Anyway, the police are not nice in these situations in my direct experience. Agent provocateurs are definate possibilities.

Seems like same tactic different day.

A..

[peaceandlove]

Private Footage of G20 Meltdown
(more videos to the right)

Video (10:00): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feLxv...layer_embedded

Sourced at: http://feveriam.wordpress.com/

TheSpartaCat went to the G20 protests with one mission - to get ppl to wake up!
And to do it peacefully.. unlike what we all saw on the MainStream Media. Some people actually care where we are going!

Nice work girl!

Footage taken at the Climate Camp Protest at Bishopsgate in London, as part of the G20 Meltdown Protests that took place all across London today. http://www.g-20meltdown.org/node/1

Overall a happy mood during the day, with protesters and activists trying to make the police smile, or give them a hug!
This probably won't be what you'll be seeing in the news footage!!!

Nature Doesn't Do Bailouts; ClimateCamp website:
http://climatecamp.org.uk/?q=node/468