Bitter Ashes
1st April 2009, 14:29
Will update as it comes in. I'm just sticking to the stuff directly regarding the protests here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7973178.stm
2100 With G20 leaders enjoying supper, Climate Camp preparing for a night on a road and protesters at the Bank of England wondering when the police will let them go, that's it for today's live text coverage of the events leading up to the G20 summit. Live text coverage will resume at 0700 on Thursday. Delegates will begin arriving at 0730 and then it will be a mad dash to 1530 when Gordon Brown is due to deliver his closing statement.
2023 The BBC's Ben Brown in the City says: There is now a stand-off between protesters and the police. The protesters are penned in - they want to leave, but the police won't let them.
1925 Channel 4 news is on right now. They're saying that the batons have come out at the Bank of England and also saying that some protesters have managed to get inside the Bank of England too. They've not elaborated on it though.
1922 The BBC's Mark Georgiou asks: What happens now? The climate camp protestors want to spend the night on Bishopsgate and it looks increasingly like the police are not going to let that happen.
1915 The BBC's Robert Hall at Bishopsgate says: There has been no violence here all day, but the trouble at the Bank of England has changed the atmosphere with police in the past 15 minutes. The police seem keen to prevent anyone at the peace camp leaving to join the protests at the Bank of England.
1910 The BBC's Ben Brown near the Bank of England says: Protesters have set up barricades in the street and appear to have started fires.
1857 A statement from Scotland Yard says that officers in the City "are now working towards a controlled dispersal, where groups of people will be allowed to leave".
1847 The BBC's Danny Shaw at Scotland Yard says: Commander Simon O'Brien has told reporters that officers are collecting evidence about those involved in today's trouble. He said the Met will "pursue a post-event investigation" - people will be visited by police and arrested.
1841 The BBC's Ben Brown in the City says: I've spoken to some protesters with blood on their faces. They say they can't get out to get those injuries treated because of the police cordon.
1812 The BBC's Dominic Casciani says: I'm at the Bishopsgate climate camp and its fairly clear they want to be here for the rest of the night. There are loo tents, food stalls and discussion groups. There's some good music - and some lousy guitar playing. It feels like the summer festivals without the mud.
1802 The BBC's Rob Broomby near the Bank of England says: Something of a siege taking place here now, provoking some clashes. People angry, but getting weary - they've been held in just a few narrow streets for a number of hours now.
1734 The BBC's Andy Tighe with Scotland Yard's Gold Command says: Police say officers have suffered only minor injuries during the protests, although one is in hospital. The Met also insists that its response has been "proportionate".
1654 The BBC's Ben Brown in the City says: The demonstrators are not free to move around. The police are closing off street after street.
1653 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: Until now the climate camp protest has had a peaceful, almost carnival atmosphere. However, in last half an hour a different sort of demonstrator has started to arrive - clad in black, masked and aggressive.
1630 The BBC's Dominic Hurst texts: Interesting chatter on twitter at the moment. Some protestors are saying police are calm and fair and letting them have a good day out.
1625 The BBC's Dominic Casciani says: Its a completely different mood at Trafalgar Square. A few thousand people have come down here for the Stop the War Coalition march. It's a classic demo calling for troops out of Iraq, Afghanistan, a bit of Palestinian solidarity and a nuclear-free world.
1610 BBC reporter Ben Brown on Threadneedle Street says: Just after four o'clock, riot police charged the demonstrators. We don't know why, but there were some violent scenes.
1601 The BBC's Dominic Hurst texts: Standoff in Queen Victoria Street. Approx 50 police in riot gear surrounded by protesters chanting "our streets". Some pushing and missile throwing, but police holding the line.
1545 The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says: Police outside the Bank of England are trying to disperse the protesters in an orderly fashion. They are opening junction after junction once they feel they are in control.
1545 The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says: Police outside the Bank of England are trying to disperse the protesters in an orderly fashion. They are opening junction after junction once they feel they are in control.
1540 The BBC's Dominic Casciani says: If the demonstrators set out to stop the City then they have succeeded. We've been walking down street after street as if cars don't exist. Police are hemming in protesters who they think might want a confrontation, but many others are drifting about looking for something to do.
1532 Scotland Yard says 23 arrests have been made so far, including 11 in connection with possession of police uniforms, one for threatening behaviour, two for violent disorder, one for indecency and two for breach of the peace.
1530 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: At the climate camp protest there is an almost Glastonbury atmosphere with music and meditation.
1510 The BBC's Danny Shaw says: Police sources say the mood has changed at the protest - now a lot calmer than it was before. Officers are starting to disperse some of the protesters, and will look out for people who are "of interest".
1508 In a statement, the Royal Bank of Scotland says it had already taken the precaution of closing its Threadneedle Street branch, as well as other outlets in the City. "The safety of our employees and our customers is of paramount importance to us," it adds.
1505 The BBC's Tom Symonds says: The cordon outside the Bank of England has been relaxed and protesters have been allowed to leave to the West.
1441 The BBC's Rob Broomby outside the Bank of England says: Something of a standoff now. Police have pushed protesters further down Threadneedle Street. Two protesters managed to get on to the roof of the Bank of England. Police dogs brought in, police are in riot gear. Some protesters are hooded and wearing balaclavas - looking like they are here to cause trouble.
1422 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: Police horses move to line up outside RBS. Firework thrown
1417 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: Police in riot gear are slowly clearing the area in front of RBS on Threadneedle Street. It is noisy and the occasional missle is thrown. One protestor has bared his backside to the police. I've not seen any arrests so far. Police seem happy just to contain crowd.
1412 The BBC's Dominic Casciani at Bishopsgate says: Calm here. Campers are putting up tents and police are not stopping them. Organisers say they will be here for 24 hours and food is being served. Organisers wearing sashes are announcng climate change workshops for anyone here for the long haul.
1405 The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says: A dozen or so police officers are putting on riot gear. On this corner of Threadneedle Street some of the protesters have been surging forward trying to push through the police line. The police have blocked off all approaches to the square, they are letting people out but no one back in again.
1352 The BBC's Mark Georgiou texts: More windows broken at RBS - some protestors in building.
1345 BBC correspondents report that windows of a branch of Royal Bank of Scotland in the City have been broken.
1315 BBC reporter Dominic Casciani says: Climate Camp protesters have occupied Bishopsgate outside the Climate Exchange, where carbon emission permits are traded. Atmosphere is carnival-like among at least 500 people - police are invisible other than vans shielding the exchange offices.
1315 BBC reporter Ben Brown outside the Bank of England says: Protesters have been scrawling graffiti on the walls of the Bank. There have been some scuffles in the last few minutes. Some of the demonstrators have been clashing with the police. No large-scale violence but pushing and shoving.
1309 Commander Simon O'Brien from the Metropolitan Police's Gold Command centre says the 3-4,000 people now outside the Bank of England did not tell the police their plans, making decisions about policing levels "very difficult".
1258 The BBC's Mark Georgiou texts: The crowd outside the Bank of England is getting increasingly tense. The police line in Threadneedle street is becoming the focus of loud attention.
1253 Scotland Yard says the number of people arrested now stands at 11.
1252 BBC producer Dominic Hurst texts: Protesters are penned into the square outside the Bank of England. A police officer said "we've been told not to let anyone out". The [police] tactics are like the Mayday protest in London's Oxford Street some years ago.
1230 City workers have been leaning out of windows to wave £10 notes at G20 protesters on the streets below, the Press Association reports. Demonstrators responded with jeers and shouts, their reporter says.
1220 BBC's Dominic Casciani texts: About two dozen black-clad men have charged police lines on Cornhill at Bank. There were minor skirmishes but the group sprinted away. Otherwise calm. A few minutes ago it got noisier when someone popped a head over the balcony of the governor of the Bank of England's office.
1209 Scotland Yard says eight people have been arrested after being found in possession of police uniforms. They were thought to be travelling in the armoured vehicle stopped earlier. Police estimate there are about 3,000 protestors in the City of London.
1206 More than 10,000 police officers are involved in this security operation, which has been dubbed - perhaps with questionable judgment - Glencoe, also the name of a 17th century massacre.
1202 BBC producer Dominic Hurst texts: Crowds are chanting "one solution revolution" and "climate, justice, peace" outside the Bank of England. Among them are groups of masked protesters from other European countries. Noisy but peaceful.
1153 Protesters at the Bank of England are getting louder, some are chanting: "Revolution". They are calling for the bankers and Gordon Brown to be put on a bonfire.
1148 The BBC's Dominic Hurst texts: Noisy crowd on move from Liverpool St. Peaceful. Police marshalling the line.
1125 More protesters are converging on the Bank of England. Organisers say they are protesting against war, climate chaos and financial crimes. Some of the crowd, surrounded by journalists and photographers, are chanting "storm the banks".
1125 BBC roving reporter Dominic Casciani in the City of London says: Police are now allowing the first co-ordinated groups of protesters to move through back streets in the City towards the Bank of England. The protesters are carrying one of the "Four Horseman of the Apocalypse", part of the "Financial Fools' Day" rally.
1115 BBC roving reporter Dominic Casciani in the City of London says: A large number of protesters who assembled at Liverpool Street station have been told by the police that they will not be allowed to march onto Bishopsgate - one of the main routes through the City.
1110 Those helicopters above the Bank of England are not, so far as we're aware, for hurling money out of in a last-ditch stimulus effort.
1101 BBC producer James Harrod texts : Police helicopters circling above Bank of England. About 150 protestors gathered, nearly as many camera crews and journalists.
1038 Police in London have stopped a group of demonstrators in an armoured vehicle. They are now questioning about a dozen protesters.
0949 BBC roving reporter Dominic Casciani outside the Bank of England says: The policing is relaxed but visible. The square has been largely sealed off with crowd control barriers but about 50 protesters on bicycles have made their way through and set up a little sound system.
0700 For two days the eyes of the world are on London. The city has battened down the hatches for a huge security lockdown as world leaders, and demonstrators, gather. We'll be following every diplomatic pas de deux and protesters' placard.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7973178.stm
2100 With G20 leaders enjoying supper, Climate Camp preparing for a night on a road and protesters at the Bank of England wondering when the police will let them go, that's it for today's live text coverage of the events leading up to the G20 summit. Live text coverage will resume at 0700 on Thursday. Delegates will begin arriving at 0730 and then it will be a mad dash to 1530 when Gordon Brown is due to deliver his closing statement.
2023 The BBC's Ben Brown in the City says: There is now a stand-off between protesters and the police. The protesters are penned in - they want to leave, but the police won't let them.
1925 Channel 4 news is on right now. They're saying that the batons have come out at the Bank of England and also saying that some protesters have managed to get inside the Bank of England too. They've not elaborated on it though.
1922 The BBC's Mark Georgiou asks: What happens now? The climate camp protestors want to spend the night on Bishopsgate and it looks increasingly like the police are not going to let that happen.
1915 The BBC's Robert Hall at Bishopsgate says: There has been no violence here all day, but the trouble at the Bank of England has changed the atmosphere with police in the past 15 minutes. The police seem keen to prevent anyone at the peace camp leaving to join the protests at the Bank of England.
1910 The BBC's Ben Brown near the Bank of England says: Protesters have set up barricades in the street and appear to have started fires.
1857 A statement from Scotland Yard says that officers in the City "are now working towards a controlled dispersal, where groups of people will be allowed to leave".
1847 The BBC's Danny Shaw at Scotland Yard says: Commander Simon O'Brien has told reporters that officers are collecting evidence about those involved in today's trouble. He said the Met will "pursue a post-event investigation" - people will be visited by police and arrested.
1841 The BBC's Ben Brown in the City says: I've spoken to some protesters with blood on their faces. They say they can't get out to get those injuries treated because of the police cordon.
1812 The BBC's Dominic Casciani says: I'm at the Bishopsgate climate camp and its fairly clear they want to be here for the rest of the night. There are loo tents, food stalls and discussion groups. There's some good music - and some lousy guitar playing. It feels like the summer festivals without the mud.
1802 The BBC's Rob Broomby near the Bank of England says: Something of a siege taking place here now, provoking some clashes. People angry, but getting weary - they've been held in just a few narrow streets for a number of hours now.
1734 The BBC's Andy Tighe with Scotland Yard's Gold Command says: Police say officers have suffered only minor injuries during the protests, although one is in hospital. The Met also insists that its response has been "proportionate".
1654 The BBC's Ben Brown in the City says: The demonstrators are not free to move around. The police are closing off street after street.
1653 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: Until now the climate camp protest has had a peaceful, almost carnival atmosphere. However, in last half an hour a different sort of demonstrator has started to arrive - clad in black, masked and aggressive.
1630 The BBC's Dominic Hurst texts: Interesting chatter on twitter at the moment. Some protestors are saying police are calm and fair and letting them have a good day out.
1625 The BBC's Dominic Casciani says: Its a completely different mood at Trafalgar Square. A few thousand people have come down here for the Stop the War Coalition march. It's a classic demo calling for troops out of Iraq, Afghanistan, a bit of Palestinian solidarity and a nuclear-free world.
1610 BBC reporter Ben Brown on Threadneedle Street says: Just after four o'clock, riot police charged the demonstrators. We don't know why, but there were some violent scenes.
1601 The BBC's Dominic Hurst texts: Standoff in Queen Victoria Street. Approx 50 police in riot gear surrounded by protesters chanting "our streets". Some pushing and missile throwing, but police holding the line.
1545 The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says: Police outside the Bank of England are trying to disperse the protesters in an orderly fashion. They are opening junction after junction once they feel they are in control.
1545 The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says: Police outside the Bank of England are trying to disperse the protesters in an orderly fashion. They are opening junction after junction once they feel they are in control.
1540 The BBC's Dominic Casciani says: If the demonstrators set out to stop the City then they have succeeded. We've been walking down street after street as if cars don't exist. Police are hemming in protesters who they think might want a confrontation, but many others are drifting about looking for something to do.
1532 Scotland Yard says 23 arrests have been made so far, including 11 in connection with possession of police uniforms, one for threatening behaviour, two for violent disorder, one for indecency and two for breach of the peace.
1530 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: At the climate camp protest there is an almost Glastonbury atmosphere with music and meditation.
1510 The BBC's Danny Shaw says: Police sources say the mood has changed at the protest - now a lot calmer than it was before. Officers are starting to disperse some of the protesters, and will look out for people who are "of interest".
1508 In a statement, the Royal Bank of Scotland says it had already taken the precaution of closing its Threadneedle Street branch, as well as other outlets in the City. "The safety of our employees and our customers is of paramount importance to us," it adds.
1505 The BBC's Tom Symonds says: The cordon outside the Bank of England has been relaxed and protesters have been allowed to leave to the West.
1441 The BBC's Rob Broomby outside the Bank of England says: Something of a standoff now. Police have pushed protesters further down Threadneedle Street. Two protesters managed to get on to the roof of the Bank of England. Police dogs brought in, police are in riot gear. Some protesters are hooded and wearing balaclavas - looking like they are here to cause trouble.
1422 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: Police horses move to line up outside RBS. Firework thrown
1417 The BBC's Mark Georgiou says: Police in riot gear are slowly clearing the area in front of RBS on Threadneedle Street. It is noisy and the occasional missle is thrown. One protestor has bared his backside to the police. I've not seen any arrests so far. Police seem happy just to contain crowd.
1412 The BBC's Dominic Casciani at Bishopsgate says: Calm here. Campers are putting up tents and police are not stopping them. Organisers say they will be here for 24 hours and food is being served. Organisers wearing sashes are announcng climate change workshops for anyone here for the long haul.
1405 The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says: A dozen or so police officers are putting on riot gear. On this corner of Threadneedle Street some of the protesters have been surging forward trying to push through the police line. The police have blocked off all approaches to the square, they are letting people out but no one back in again.
1352 The BBC's Mark Georgiou texts: More windows broken at RBS - some protestors in building.
1345 BBC correspondents report that windows of a branch of Royal Bank of Scotland in the City have been broken.
1315 BBC reporter Dominic Casciani says: Climate Camp protesters have occupied Bishopsgate outside the Climate Exchange, where carbon emission permits are traded. Atmosphere is carnival-like among at least 500 people - police are invisible other than vans shielding the exchange offices.
1315 BBC reporter Ben Brown outside the Bank of England says: Protesters have been scrawling graffiti on the walls of the Bank. There have been some scuffles in the last few minutes. Some of the demonstrators have been clashing with the police. No large-scale violence but pushing and shoving.
1309 Commander Simon O'Brien from the Metropolitan Police's Gold Command centre says the 3-4,000 people now outside the Bank of England did not tell the police their plans, making decisions about policing levels "very difficult".
1258 The BBC's Mark Georgiou texts: The crowd outside the Bank of England is getting increasingly tense. The police line in Threadneedle street is becoming the focus of loud attention.
1253 Scotland Yard says the number of people arrested now stands at 11.
1252 BBC producer Dominic Hurst texts: Protesters are penned into the square outside the Bank of England. A police officer said "we've been told not to let anyone out". The [police] tactics are like the Mayday protest in London's Oxford Street some years ago.
1230 City workers have been leaning out of windows to wave £10 notes at G20 protesters on the streets below, the Press Association reports. Demonstrators responded with jeers and shouts, their reporter says.
1220 BBC's Dominic Casciani texts: About two dozen black-clad men have charged police lines on Cornhill at Bank. There were minor skirmishes but the group sprinted away. Otherwise calm. A few minutes ago it got noisier when someone popped a head over the balcony of the governor of the Bank of England's office.
1209 Scotland Yard says eight people have been arrested after being found in possession of police uniforms. They were thought to be travelling in the armoured vehicle stopped earlier. Police estimate there are about 3,000 protestors in the City of London.
1206 More than 10,000 police officers are involved in this security operation, which has been dubbed - perhaps with questionable judgment - Glencoe, also the name of a 17th century massacre.
1202 BBC producer Dominic Hurst texts: Crowds are chanting "one solution revolution" and "climate, justice, peace" outside the Bank of England. Among them are groups of masked protesters from other European countries. Noisy but peaceful.
1153 Protesters at the Bank of England are getting louder, some are chanting: "Revolution". They are calling for the bankers and Gordon Brown to be put on a bonfire.
1148 The BBC's Dominic Hurst texts: Noisy crowd on move from Liverpool St. Peaceful. Police marshalling the line.
1125 More protesters are converging on the Bank of England. Organisers say they are protesting against war, climate chaos and financial crimes. Some of the crowd, surrounded by journalists and photographers, are chanting "storm the banks".
1125 BBC roving reporter Dominic Casciani in the City of London says: Police are now allowing the first co-ordinated groups of protesters to move through back streets in the City towards the Bank of England. The protesters are carrying one of the "Four Horseman of the Apocalypse", part of the "Financial Fools' Day" rally.
1115 BBC roving reporter Dominic Casciani in the City of London says: A large number of protesters who assembled at Liverpool Street station have been told by the police that they will not be allowed to march onto Bishopsgate - one of the main routes through the City.
1110 Those helicopters above the Bank of England are not, so far as we're aware, for hurling money out of in a last-ditch stimulus effort.
1101 BBC producer James Harrod texts : Police helicopters circling above Bank of England. About 150 protestors gathered, nearly as many camera crews and journalists.
1038 Police in London have stopped a group of demonstrators in an armoured vehicle. They are now questioning about a dozen protesters.
0949 BBC roving reporter Dominic Casciani outside the Bank of England says: The policing is relaxed but visible. The square has been largely sealed off with crowd control barriers but about 50 protesters on bicycles have made their way through and set up a little sound system.
0700 For two days the eyes of the world are on London. The city has battened down the hatches for a huge security lockdown as world leaders, and demonstrators, gather. We'll be following every diplomatic pas de deux and protesters' placard.