G20 Protests Wednesday and your commute

Clever Pun

So how's it going to affect you???

From what I can see of the proposed 'official' route the embankment will be a mess in the evening

I suspect I'm out on the east side a little to far but if they hit tower bridge I'm done


Dirty Hippies

itboffin

Clever Pun wrote:

So how's it going to affect you???

From what I can see of the proposed 'official' route the embankment will be a mess in the evening

I suspect I'm out on the east side a little to far but if they hit tower bridge I'm done


Dirty Hippies

Add soap to the water cannons that'll move them along

TopSpin

Have seen some notices from the City of London police that the bike racks are closed 1/2 April so looks like no cycle commuting for me. Don't think I'd have risked getting my bike smashed up anyway.

the_hundredth_idiot

My office has advised us to work from home those two days so I'm taking my laptop home with me on Tuesday evening.

I quite fancied coming in - it got quite interesting during the May Day protests in (was it?) 2001. But the wife persuaded me to have a couple of easy days at home with her and the kids.

Christophe3967

Our firm's official view has changed from 'don't come in' now they've realised that everyone was probably going to use it as an excuse to stay at home and not do very much work. I have secure bike parking and, bearing in mind that your average urban terrorist won't be getting out of bed before the offie is allowed to start selling cider, I don't think I'll have too much to worry about (other than plods wobbling around on their Brick Lane MTBs).

Getting home might be an issue though. Last time we went for a drink after work waiting for the crowds to disperse but there was a splinter group hiding in the gents, which was interesting

Jay dubbleU

Christophe3967 wrote:

Our firm's official view has changed from 'don't come in' now they've realised that everyone was probably going to use it as an excuse to stay at home and not do very much work. I have secure bike parking and, bearing in mind that your average urban terrorist won't be getting out of bed before the offie is allowed to start selling cider, I don't think I'll have too much to worry about (other than plods wobbling around on their Brick Lane MTBs).

Getting home might be an issue though. Last time we went for a drink after work waiting for the crowds to disperse but there was a splinter group hiding in the gents, which was interesting

???????

Clever Pun

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Christophe3967 wrote:

Our firm's official view has changed from 'don't come in' now they've realised that everyone was probably going to use it as an excuse to stay at home and not do very much work. I have secure bike parking and, bearing in mind that your average urban terrorist won't be getting out of bed before the offie is allowed to start selling cider, I don't think I'll have too much to worry about (other than plods wobbling around on their Brick Lane MTBs).

Getting home might be an issue though. Last time we went for a drink after work waiting for the crowds to disperse but there was a splinter group hiding in the gents, which was interesting

???????

maybe it's a new form of gorilla gardening?

Christophe3967

From memory, they were part of the group that had wrecked MacDonalds in Cannon St and were trying to hide. A couple of guys having a drink discovered them in the gents and quickly figured out who they were, and it was a bit chaotic after that - so we didn't even manage a quiet pint. Can't think how their cover was blown...

So, not sure that popping out for a cheeky one will be such a good idea...

Greg T

I think that the embankment should be relatively clear - the proximity to such a large body of water should have your average soap dodging urban anarchist breaking out into a sweat.

I'm going to replace my normal skid lid for a bowler for the day.

Come on Everyone

What do we want?

A decent rate of return for non securitised investments, protected in a tax resistant package with low management fees and potential for excellent growth

When do we want it?

By mid second Half 09 but with the opportunity to utilise 2008 tax allowances

Christophe3967

Greg T wrote:

Come on Everyone

What do we want?

A decent rate of return for non securitised investments, protected in a tax resistant package with low management fees and potential for excellent growth

When do we want it?

By mid second Half 09 but with the opportunity to utilise 2008 tax allowances

Yeah, comrades. And rollover relief, allied to a light-touch regulatory regime, with no formal reporting requirements.

And free cider.

Christophe3967

We've just been told that, for security reasons, our office will be shut tomorrow and Thursday, so my RP park challenge is on.

Managed to move all my meetings and we have been told that we're not to use this as an opportunity to go and play golf. OK then, I definitely won't be playing golf 8) .

the_hundredth_idiot

[pedant mode]And may I be the first to enquire whether RP park is, in fact, Richmond Park park?[/pedant mode] (Hey, this is Friday afternoon for me - Wednesday and Thursday at home and Friday already booked as a holiday*)

* well, I didn't want to get a puncture riding through all the broken glass and other detritus from the next two days' fun and games.

http://news.hereisthecity.com/news/busi ... 8914.cntns

snooks

Managed to arrange two jobs out of town, so I'll get back each evening and watch it kick off on TV

Greg T

No soap Dodging activities in Canary Wharf as of yet but there again it is before Jeremy Kyle finishes so that shouldn't be surprising.

I was disappointed that we didn't have a phalanx of pikemen outside the doors and some Pandas chained to walls being flogged..

At the very least I wanted a couple of Challenger IIs dug in hull down on a reverse slope position with interlocking and overlapping fields of view and fire. I presume the lobby is rigged with claymores - one can only hope.

Chewy Cheeks

Quiet as a cricket field in January this morning.

No protesters, hundreds of the mets finest.

Best time for getting in since started commuting again, weeeeeee.

biondino

Will this be the thread for following the riotfest? Exciting!

Sewinman

I did not see a single scabby white dreadlock , can of cider, roll-up or Levellers t-shirt this morning. I feel cheated.

Worryingly it is now bad to be involved in carbon trading, which is partly what I do...and I thought I was saving the world!

il_principe

I just think it's hilarious that bankers are eschewing suits today - like wearing corduroys and a Thomas Pink shirt is gonna help them blend in with the anarchists...

Smart Casual:



Anarchist:

Crapaud

Greg T wrote:

... At the very least I wanted a couple of Challenger IIs dug in hull down on a reverse slope position with interlocking and overlapping fields of view and fire. I presume the lobby is rigged with claymores - one can only hope.

Not as strange as you'd think. On News 24 they just showed police stopping and checking an armoured car. :shock: They gave it an MOT and let it go.

lost_in_thought

Due to our extreme proximity to the Israeli Embassy, we get regular security updates from an 'intelligence' firm... I appreciate that they're telling us what people are chanting and what noises they are making... Makes all the difference.

Reports of hundreds of people blocking bridge into city at London Bridge.

People are now gathering on the south side of London Bridge to monitor the hundreds of critical mass bikes that have assembled there. The silver horse and banner reading “Capitalism isn’t working” are visible.

Cheers can be heard as a march begins from London Bridge as a mannequin of a banker with hangman’s noose round neck is raised up to protestors.

A pacifist element has assembled at Moorgate and are mainly congregating around one of the reported ‘Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse’. Street theatre comprising of a giant red horse is visible. Activists are intent on moving the structure towards the Bank of England. Approximately 500 protestors are now at Moorgate chants of “They Say Welfare We Say Warfare”.

The blue tank is actually riot control vehicle with a water canon on the top. Six protesters from the ‘tank’ were arrested. A known Spacehijackers was sighted next to the vehicle.

Specialist bomb proof vehicles have reportedly arrived at Liverpool Street. Angry dialogue is exchanged between protestors and police at Liverpool Street . Some of crowd are currently being boxed in and held back by police and calls of “let us march” and “When they say get back we say fight back” are heard by protestors.

G20 March begins along Old Broad Street. Loud shouting has been heard, as have whistles.

March to Bank is underway further chants of ”Free Palestine” and “make a banker bonfire” are heard. Approximately thirty police are leading the march.

A further two hundred protestors are en route to Bank through the streets of London.

There are reports that a taxi outside the Bank of England has been totally blocked in the road by protests chanting that “this is democracy”. This suggests that attempts to travel around the city are being seriously hampered.

Police gathering to prevent Climate Camp “swoop” outside the Climate Exchange at Bishopsgate.

lost_in_thought

But wait, there's more... 'singing songs of revolution'

Protestors at Bank of England are shouting “Storm The Banks” and “Shame On You Gordon Brown”. Palestinian and Free Tibet flags as well as a huger red banner reading ‘Arrest the War Criminals’ can be seen. One protestor climbs on police fence and begins to encourage the crowd for action using a megaphone.

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.

G20 March continues slowly along Threadneedle Street.

A group of around 150 people have managed to escape the police pen outside Cannon street and they are now doing a spontaneous demonstration around the city. They are moving very fast and police are running behind trying to catch up with them.

A press photographer has reportedly had his camera seized.

There are a number of protesters with their faces covered by bandanas, chanting 'You will not stop us.'

Man dressed as vampire hands out fake cash to crowds at London Bridge.

The police are implementing rolling blockades to control the pace of certain marches.

One lane in London Bridge is now completely blocked.

Liverpool Street Green march has now reportedly managed to move down Bishopsgate. It is made of around 400 people and police have been unable to stop them from moving.

Police being jostled by protesters.

Protesters outside Bank of England singing songs of revolution.

A third horse, reportedly brought along to the protests to signify financial greed, is approaching the Bank of England.

the_hundredth_idiot

The blue tank is actually riot control vehicle with a water canon on the top. Six protesters from the ‘tank’ were arrested. A known Spacehijackers was sighted next to the vehicle.

Much as I view the protestors as a bunch of soap/work dodging crusties, you've got to admire their chutzpah here!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7976444.stm

Sewinman

It is still a bit early yet though - a few more cans of Scrumpy and no doubt it will get a bit naughty.

Crapaud

... The blue tank is actually riot control vehicle with a water canon on the top. Six protesters from the ‘tank’ were arrested. A known Spacehijackers was sighted next to the vehicle. ...

'Spacehijackers', :?: :?

Clever Pun

I saw some bikes with trailers and sound systems this morning....

Nice work LIT keep it up

Crapaud

8 protesters have been arrested for wearing police uniforms.

Edit: Correction, it was for possessing police uniforms.

Edit 2: Now 11 arrested.

Christophe3967

Pretty quiet at the Box Hill cafe this morning. No sign of any trouble apart from a small party of slightly unruly schoolchildren.

Number of bikes at Box Hill - 1.
No of police officers. - 0.
No of urban terrorists - 0
No of degrees celsius at Box Hill - 16
No of flapjacks - 1
No of miles - 54.1
No of calories - 2036
No of minutes on bike - 204
No of beers drunk since getting back, sitting on the balcony enjoyiing the sun - 2

il_principe

Christophe3967 wrote:

Pretty quiet at the Box Hill cafe this morning. No sign of any trouble apart from a small party of slightly unruly schoolchildren.

Number of bikes at Box Hill - 1.
No of police officers. - 0.
No of urban terrorists - 0
No of degrees celsius at Box Hill - 16
No of flapjacks - 1
No of miles - 54.1
No of calories - 2036
No of minutes on bike - 204
No of beers drunk since getting back, sitting on the balcony enjoyiing the sun - 2

You lucky sod!

biondino

I'm impressed with the 19th Century style return to cavalry, but is one horse really going to be enough?

Crapaud

biondino wrote:

I'm impressed with the 19th Century style return to cavalry, but is one horse really going to be enough?

Last report I saw there was a third horse.

Other news: The climate protesters have, literally, set up camp on Bishopsgate. They claim that they're going to remain there for the duration of the G20. So, if you're planning to delay your commute until the protester have left, avoid Bishopsgate.

This report is brought to you by Crappie Transport Management ®

lost_in_thought

Clever Pun wrote:

I saw some bikes with trailers and sound systems this morning....

Nice work LIT keep it up

You asked for it... my favourite bit of this one is the bunny outfit...

The crowd outside the Bank of England is getting increasingly tense and the police line in Threadneedle Street is becoming the focus of loud attention.

More anarchists are attacking police lines, one with a huge pole and others throwing bags of flour at police. One police officer was seen to have been hit by the pole.

A protester in a bunny outfit breaches the police line as violence begins to escalate.

One anarchist, seen as a ring leader of the recent action, has what appears to be a head wound and blood visibly dripping from his head. It cannot be confirmed whether it is blood of red paint yet. In response to the action, police have now drawn truncheons and extendable batons and a greater number of police have confronted the violent element of the crowd. Some police helmets have been tossed into the street in that area.

Anarchist graffiti scrawled on Bank of England walls.

The overall protest action is generating considerable noise, with drumming from a Samba Band and chants of "off with their heads". Police have cordoned off the main area, and some are on the roof of buildings around the Bank of England itself.

Some anarchists spilt off from main police confrontation and are attempting to attract those form climate camp to “fill the space” behind police lines and thus assist them in their direct action.

1,000 people are reportedly at the Climate change at Bishopsgate. There are small scuffles with police, with an individual restrained by police.

Members of the G20 meltdown group appear to be attempting to code their communications in order to confuse security services.