Anti-War March In London

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Just got back -- it was the quietist march I think I have ever been on! Not that there was no noise and shouting, but it was rather sporadic and muted. I suspect that was because of the fact that the speeches were given first in Trafalgar Square; but who knows!

Anyway, I'll post some pictures tomorrow, and I'll try to get some footage on YouTube later in the week.

I'd put the crowd at no more than 50,000, but no less than 30,000.

[Mr. Path-e-fist]

The one in Glasgow was pretty tiny.

[Kropotesta]

I got back abit ago from the London one. Yeah was really sporadic, I think abit of the disjointing of the march was cos some commie, new communist party?, group kept stopping every ten seconds to rearrange their flags! twas mildy annoying after awhile. But, yeah I enjoyed it.

[Zurdito]

Just got back -- it was the quietist march I think I have ever been on! Not that there was no noise and shouting, but it was rather sporadic and muted. I suspect that was because of the fact that the speeches were given first in Trafalgar Square; but who knows!

Anyway, I'll post some pictures tomorrow, and I'll try to get some footage on YouTube later in the week.

I'd put the crowd at no more than 50,000, but no less than 30,000.

SWTC said 40 000. Police said 10 000. Truth is probably in between.

You should have marched with the REVOLUTION comrades Rosa. We linked up with some very militant RESPECT kids and formed a de facto vanguard, I think we were the noisiest part of the demonstration, ha! We even sing in Italian. ;)

Sectarian point score +1. :p

No bout seriously, I enjoyed today, but really the majority of the march was horribly quiet.

[RNK]

Bet it was quieter here. We're not in Iraq, though.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Zurdito, I actually filmed you lot, and was mightily impressed! Apart from the drum band and perhaps the Palestine contingent, you were I think the loudest.

Order of Lenin -- maybe...

I nearly mentioned your contingent in my original post, and I really do not know why I did not.

Had I known that a non-sectarian like you was in it, I would have!:p



SWTC said 40 000. Police said 10 000. Truth is probably in between.



Well, I stood on the corner of Parliament Sq at about 1515, and filmed the back of the march as it began to go over Westminster Bridge, and the front as it circled Parliament Square.

That makes it 2 (or 3Km) miles long, at least.

Assuming there were 20 marchers per metre breadth-wise across the road for most of that distance, that makes 20 x 3000 = 60,000.

Lop off 20% for over-estimate, and you get just under 50,000.

So the STWC were I think right.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Conflicting Interests, you may be right; there were in fact several delays en-route, not just that one.

[RNK]

Oh, I met BuyOurEverything and Gunther Glick at our anti-war protest! Almost forgot.

[AGITprop]

Oh, I met BuyOurEverything and Gunther Glick at our anti-war protest! Almost forgot.

It was quite nice to meet you in person. Could you hear us singing the Inernationale during the march?! My goodness was it boring. I was happy to see all the red flags though. Especially all four of them from the CPC-ML, LMAO :D

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Ok, comrades can see the pictures I took on the march, here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

[Colonello Buendia]

Glasgows one was pretty good, not nearly as big but still pretty good

[Colonello Buendia]

The one in Glasgow was pretty tiny.
apparently we were 5000 strong, where were you in the protest? I was with the Palestinian bloc. and too those who sang in Italian, what song?

[RNK]

It was quite nice to meet you in person. Could you hear us singing the Inernationale during the march?! My goodness was it boring. I was happy to see all the red flags though. Especially all four of them from the CPC-ML, LMAO :D

I enjoyed the CPQ more... but I enjoyed the NDP's three supporters (two of whom were holding their banner) the most. And I enjoyed the little toddler they dressed up in the bright orange little snowsuit. I accused them of brainwashing children. :D

I didn't hear you singing the Internationale but I'm sure it was a wonderful rendition!

[Keyser]

I was at the London STWC march too.

I was with the Revolutionary Communist Group (RCG) contingent.

[Kropotesta]

that the one that kept stopping and faffing about with flags?

[Keyser]

that the one that kept stopping and faffing about with flags?


No, we did not have any flags.

We had two large banners (pro-Palestinian/Intifada themed).

You may be on about the Communist Party of Britain, they had their members carry a flag each (red flag with a yellow hammer and sickle and "communist party" written on it).

[Kropotesta]

yeah that was it. jeez. pretty impressive looking block though.
oh yeah, who was starting troubl at the front of the rally when the people were talking at tragalger?

[Keyser]

yeah that was it.


You mean the CPB?



pretty impressive looking block though.


My bloc (the RCG) or the CPB's?



oh yeah, who was starting troubl at the front of the rally when the people were talking at tragalger?


I have no idea, sorry mate.

What group, bloc were you with?

[Kropotesta]

You mean the CPB?



My bloc (the RCG) or the CPB's?



I have no idea, sorry mate.

What group, bloc were you with?
the communist party of britain one, sorry about the confusion.
I was with the anarchist block, if you could even call it that cos it was here there and everywhere most of the time! so either in that group or just walking about randomly haha.

[Keyser]

I was with the anarchist block, if you could even call it that cos it was here there and everywhere most of the time! so either in that group or just walking about randomly haha.


When everyone had their stall in the Square before the march started, where you the guy at the AF stall, selling books and the AF magazines (the guy was around late teens to early 20s, rather tall and had dark brown/black hair)?

[Kropotesta]

na, i was in all black with hood up.

[Mr. Path-e-fist]

apparently we were 5000 strong, where were you in the protest? I was with the Palestinian bloc. and too those who sang in Italian, what song?
I was walking with the communist party. Kinda in the middle.

[Zurdito]

Ok, comrades can see the pictures I took on the march, here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

Excellent work Rosa, thanks. :)

looking forward to seeing the vid.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Thanks Z!

More pictures and a long video here:

http://leninology.blogspot.com/2008/03/year-five-still-on-streets.html