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Dress down to fool G20 rioters, bank staff told
Benedict Moore-Bridger26 Mar 2009
London is preparing to go into lockdown next week amid fears of major disorder hitting the G20 summit.
Unprecedented measures are being put in place to prepare for thousands of protesters targeting the City and Canary Wharf in demonstrations starting on Saturday.
Among the extraordinary precautions being taken are:
● Thousands of staff are being told to stay at home and avoid the City altogether.
● Others have been warned not to wear suits and given guides to “dressing down”, with chinos and loafers banned because they would make the employees obvious targets.
● An additional 2,500 police including riot units and intelligence officers are being deployed at a cost of £10 million to tackle any violence.
● Security consultants are giving firms constant updates on threat levels.
Banks, insurers, accountancy firms and brokerages have all circulated emails to staff giving them instructions on security. Fears of violence are rising after organisers warned that effigies of bankers, including Sir Fred Goodwin, would be burned from lamp posts.
Meanwhile, the group claiming responsibility for vandalising the former Royal Bank of Scotland chairman's home has threatened further action against “criminal” bank bosses.
The demonstrations, as 20 world leaders meet at the ExCeL centre in Docklands to discuss how to end the world recession, are expected to be the biggest in London this decade.
About 3,000 protesters are expected, with groups on Wednesday 1 April parading to the Bank of England, holding “flashcamps” outside the European
Climate Exchange in Bishopsgate, and marching on the US embassy. The following day demonstrators will target the ExCeL centre itself.
Police chiefs have briefed City firms on how to improve security. Memos have been circulated telling staff to stay indoors as much as possible.
One email, seen by the Standard, warns: “The front door is to be permanently locked during these two days. Protesters will be targeting banks which we are close to. Therefore we should limit any unnecessary visits outside the office, even at lunchtime.”
The London Chamber of Commerce has told finance sector workers to “consider wearing more casual clothing”.
Financial advisory group Bluefin has told employees not to go to its office in Mark Lane in the City unless absolutely necessary. A spokesman for the bank UBS said: “We are telling people to be cautious. If you have client meetings do you need to have them here?”
Chris Knight, professor of anthropology at the University of East London who is organising protests under the banner G20 Meltdown, said: “We are going to be hanging a lot of people like Fred the Shred from lamp posts on April Fool's Day and I can only say let's hope they are just effigies.”
Reader views (62)
Tracey I am pleased to see that you are working class and struggle on a low wage. I think you probably need to claim a rebate from the tax man as your 'meagre' wages should not cross into the 40% tax threshold.
- Jim, London, 30/03/2009 15:26
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but why are the singling out normal office workers? they havnt caused it, its the bosses of the big banks that make the decisions? Support staff just do what they are told and push the buttons..The people planning it obviously havnt got jobs,thats why they are out at 11 o'clock in the day protesting,therefore they are the ones contributing to the economic climate because they are just a bunch of lazy scroungers poncing off the state, if i see any of em i will put on my bowler hat and walk right through the middle of em. Probly knock a couple of em out.
- Liam Ryan, romford,essex, 30/03/2009 14:54
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I work in a stockbrokers and have done for over 15 years, I am working class. Have debts and haven't had a holiday in 2 years even though I work 10 hours a day and commute for 2. These people are so unintelligent that they think we are all millionaires, most people who work in Financial institutions are support staff on a half decent wage who work extremely hard with no overtime payments and a meagre bonus at the end of the year which the tax man takes 40% of to keep these soap dodgers in skunk and beer. Do they not realise that if we don't work, these lazy workshy bunch don't receive their benefits. We actually drive the economy, keep coffee shops tills ringing and all the other city businesses afloat. Where do you think the chancellors big tax pot comes from - us working. So, my adivce would be to have a wash and get yourself down to the job centre and contribute to the country that you are so willing to riot against and live off.
- Tracey, London, 28/03/2009 09:51
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I've heard one of the issues the crusties are moaning about is free trade for Africa, but Africa can't be doing too badly.....I constantly receive emails offering lucrative rewards for assisting distressed Nigerian millionaires with cash flow problems, haha!
- DT, London, 27/03/2009 12:54
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Kate - London - well said.
Yes, there is NEED and there is GREED - difficult to quantify, there is a big grey area in the middle.
Some feel the NEED for hair straighteners, chelsea tractors, leather sofas, new coloured bathrooms, bigger houses to accommodate ever more children, cosmetic surgery etc. etc. etc.
Many, however will call these Excessities at best, GREED at worst.
One things for sure - those who don’t EARN it shouldn’t HAVE it - and that’s another grey area!
- Darius Midwinter, London UK, 27/03/2009 12:01
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Are we becoming a communist country????
Please sir 'what can I wear'
- C Cusano, Bedford, 27/03/2009 09:33
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As they will not actually be out looking for work on April 1st are they prepared to hand back a proportion of their dole money ?
- Steve, London, 27/03/2009 08:00
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So why is it that the protesters feel that effigies of top bankers are what should be displayed in our city, what about the greedy people who borrowed way above their means in the first place or Mr Gordon Brown who preaches of criminality among Bankers yet was in charge of our finances for the many years before this hit usthus allowing all thats gone wrong to happen.
Lets face it, the protesters should be going to work and earning the country some money instead of sitting on their backsides crying about it and passing the buck.
We're all to blame, good things always come to an end, greed by everyone has ruined everything as always its only ever good for you in moderation.
- Kate, london, uk, 27/03/2009 07:59
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If you want to look as though you are in with the G20 protestor crowd I suggest you don't wash for a fortnight, no shaves or combing hair(women also), wear clothes that haven't been washed this year and don't talk but just grunt and scream. You'll feel right at home with the anti-G20's.
- Len, Perth, Australia, 27/03/2009 07:23
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I doubt whether these gormless hooligans who plan to demonstrate could care less about the real issue. They probably think G20 is some kind of health food. Perhaps they will burn down a bank then complain when they can't cash their benefit cheques.
- Johnboy Of Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, England, 27/03/2009 00:53
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I find the idea of protestors damaging the banks any more than they have done themselves in the past 6 months laughable. Perhaps it's time that instead of using the summit as an excuse for a riot, they present their view of the new world order? Capitalism may not have failed just yet, but it's come close!
- Jon, London, UK, 26/03/2009 23:11
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Following this dress down advice, since these "protestors" are going to be targetting anyone that looks like they have just walked out of their local Gap, I think, on Wednesday, I'll actually wear a suit for the first time in my life...must be the safest way to go now...it will be the irony that keeps me safe.
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County, 26/03/2009 17:02
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"Meanwhile, the group claiming responsibility for vandalising the former Royal Bank of Scotland chairman's home has threatened further action against “criminal” bank bosses."
One excuse is as good as another to cause fear and mayhem, half an excuse or less is acceptable too. "Guilt" & "Criminal" as always applied to individual ideological targets, defined by anarchist's kangaroo courts - anarchists at play in their favourite pasttime.
The people may be a joke, sure - it's a pity the harm they cause is anything but!
- Rogan, Irving, 26/03/2009 17:01
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I'm gonna wear my best suit, best shoes and rent a Porsche for the day...bring it on....
- Dan, London, UK, 26/03/2009 16:59
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Why are protester being labeled as rioters before the event ?
Your own prejudice is showing.
Is that what you want, trouble, or do you agree that in democracy it's OK to protest against a system that has robbed many of their hard earned pensions and doesn't care what knid of planet we leave to our grandchildren.
- Sue Spinks, London, 26/03/2009 16:52
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This Chris Knight should be arrested for his provocative comments inciting violence.
I think i'll start a Taxpayers Against Soap Dodging Benefits Cheats protest. Any one join me?
- Paul Chingford, London, 26/03/2009 16:47
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I think you will find the protester's are most angry about living in a country run by corrupted politicans claiming 'expenses' for a load of rubbish while the country falls into recession. Also while we are people who are meant to be running this country are lying to us!
Why are our courts not full of corrupt bankers? they are robbing you! WAKE UP!!!
- Gordan Ramsey, London, 26/03/2009 16:36
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April fools anyone???
- Danielle, London, 26/03/2009 16:30
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Luckily I won't be affected that day as I am spending the day on my yacht. The only dilemma I have is whether to take the roller or chopper down to the coast......bit of a shame i'll miss the swampy show.
- Pad, london, 26/03/2009 16:20
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i think we should throw 1p and 2p coins at the protesters, they will be like yelping seals begging for fish.
- Duffy, london, 26/03/2009 15:50
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so it's true, the emperor really doesn't have any clothes on.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 26/03/2009 15:48
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What a bunch of idiots. What exactly is this protest a) about in the first place and b) hoping, never mind going, to achieve?
Get a job and stop bothering those of us who work hard at one.
- Stu, Beckton, 26/03/2009 15:38
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I see that a demo is targeting the London Stock Exchange, particuarly its 'traders'
does it matter that there haven't been any actual traders in the LSE since 1986 - or should we not let the truth get in the way of a good story?
- David, Lonsno, 26/03/2009 15:35
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Should IT staff dress up a bit?
- Andy T, London UK, 26/03/2009 15:31
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I remember when they took to the streets of the city of London a few years ago - it all went pearshaped for them. They were slaughtered,city workers don't take rubbish from the likes of them,the pathethic little creatures up from the 'Shires' trying to lecture us as to how we live our lives. We have to work (unlike them) so taking to the streets to abuse us for it is really adding insult to injury! We're lucky to have a job which may not last into next week. It should be interesting next week!
- Mary Mc, london, 26/03/2009 15:17
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you pathetic people...who do you think pays the 40% taxes that allow you to do nothing and protest all day ? You are taking our dollar and that makes you our property too. Watch the gap between the haves and the have nots widen all because the middle classes got greedy and gorged on credit, places in the sun and private schiools..know your places people
- Gordon Gekko, London, 26/03/2009 15:04
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Er, Jimbob: when I worked in The City I didn't have a Ferrari - like thousands of other support staff, who don't get the perks and Fat Cat pay Chris mentions, either. I expect the multitude of Temps, who get a pretty bum deal already, will just have to lose a day's income (say, a mere £100 each) so the Great Unwashed can have a day out behaving like unchecked 2yr olds.
And what kind of moron posts under the name 'Grim Reaper, Hell' . . . ?!
The UK has officially imploded: I feel sorry for ordinary people trying to get on with the difficult job of raising ordinary kids and living ordinary lives - the fact that they DON'T rise up is the only thing that keeps Britain going.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 26/03/2009 14:59
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Is this what we fought 2 wars for, to be afraid to
walk to work, dressed as gentlemen.
Lock this lot up and put them in Jail if there is any
violence.
- Barry Carroll, London, 26/03/2009 14:45
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99% of bank workers had nothing to do with the decision making process or the financial products that resulted in the current mess & 95% are not ultra wealthy traders, no matter how the press tries to spin it.
The vast majority are support staff who happen to have ended up in banking by chance but could have been in any other industry, and who earn ok money with a decent enough lifestyle without it being out of the ordinary.
No doubt the banks we in a big part to blame but so were other to whatever degree (Brown/Govt, greedy councils & companies who risked their staff's pensions, any of us loading up on credit & mortgages that were way beyond what we earn).
Bank take lion's share of course, & there's every right to dislike (some) of them & be angry, this 'damned by association' approach serves no purpose and allows nothing to be solved.
Blaming the people now in charge who are trying to sort out the mess left by others, and the indiscriminate abuse being hurled ignorantly at anyone remotely associated with finance is as productive as continuing to hate the Germans because some of the previous generations were Nazis.
- Geoff P, London, 26/03/2009 14:45
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I remember being young and disenfranchised and dissatisfied once myself - not wanting a job but a cause - but then during my 20s this strange thing happened...I grew up.
Chris Knight, I bet your impressionable nubile students lap up your reckless pugilistic rhetoric. Busted.
- Rich T- A Member Of The Hip Hop Coalition For A Well Hung Parliament, London UK, 26/03/2009 14:22
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I fondly recall the May Day protests. My pal and I (in suits) stood outside Liverpool Street station talking to the police and some protesters laughing at the dressdownies. The people least likely to be attacked were us ordinary looking wage slaves in suits.
- Bj, London, 26/03/2009 14:10
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Forget your job interview and join the protesters against the people who are prob the reason why you don't even have a job!
The Government have been robbing you and the banking officials have been laughing at you while they take your money! read the news, look around you, it is going on.
This country is being ruined by being run by criminals. Do something about it.
- Kelly, London, 26/03/2009 14:04
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It is always the same. Most of the protesters will engage in thoroughly non-violent protests and direct actions. They will cause disruption (and rightly so), but most would never dream of attacking a banker. However as with all large crowds there may be a few. As for the threats of anarchists and hardline communists (as opposed to climate activists), this happens everytime. The press and police create a huge fuss which feeds into a hysterical atmosphere.
We should all be out protesting, not worrying about a few black bloc members who are all talk...
- Alasdair Cameron, London, UK, 26/03/2009 14:04
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I'll be even better dressed than normal as I've a series of job interviews (having been made redundant a while ago). I fully echo the comments from Mark from London - I'll be in no mood if someone tries to sabotage my efforts to get a job. They will get a good going-over.
- James, london, 26/03/2009 13:30
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Whatever happened to "keep calm and carry on" and the right to protest peacefully? All this talk about riots is coming from the police, media and security industry and the cause of all our current misery, the banks, themselves.
- Austen, London, 26/03/2009 13:20
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The biggest problem with this is it being "positioned" as a riot waiting to happen. It only discourages normal people who would think about executing their right to peaceful protest to participate and actually that is what this country needs at the moment - instead of us all bitching about the government on anonymous blogs is we should demonstrate.
So potential "agressive" protesters/rioters - just remember by creating such antogonism you are actually contributing to the squashing of democracy.
- Jc, se1, 26/03/2009 13:19
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Ok outside Gurkin 1 o clock - bring it on..........
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 26/03/2009 13:15
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Hmmm I find it disturbing that the media is calling people 'rioters' already? Aren't they demonstrators-are 3000 people going to riot? You're jumping the gun and it's irresponsible because you're planting the idea in people's heads before anything has even happened. I'll be going along next week and I'm not a rioter but a demonstrator-or does that mean that I am a rioter and will be 'dealt with' as such?
- Paul, londonUK, 26/03/2009 13:11
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these soap-dodging mangy dog-on-a-string workshy spongers will have to get up way too early for them if they are to have any effect.
- Squiz, Islington, 26/03/2009 13:04
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Will the Police take action against Chris Knight for incitement to commit an offence and will his employer, a government funded establishment, fire him?
- David, London, 26/03/2009 13:03
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I work in the city myself and I am thinking of taking the day off work so I can join them.
This country has gone down the drain! People are getting paid for failure. Tax payers are being robbed and while the fat cats at the top ruin everything and rob everyone!
These people have the right idea and you should be happy they are doing something about it for the good of many.
- Chris, London, 26/03/2009 13:03
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perhaps dressing up as an islamic terrorist will do the trick
- Linda, italy, 26/03/2009 13:00
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Something tells me that most bankers won't be able to pull off the scruffs disguise convincingly. Also, if you are a normal person dressing up as one of them, what if the Police round you up or beat you by mistake? Tricky!
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 26/03/2009 12:55
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This is exactly what happens when voters feel they are powerless and the government is not representing them...
Brown could deter this by holding a snap election- he would prove then at least he was putting the country first.
If not, come summer, this could turn really nasty - and I predict it will not just be "yoof troublemaking anarchists" this time, but middle class taxpayers and pensioners as well - groups who should NEVER be ignored.
Even if a new government couldn’t change much in the short term, at least public anger would be assuaged.
We need an election to save our country - NOW.
- Darius Midwinter, London UK, 26/03/2009 12:52
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As someone who works in a city bank, I do not class myself as a banker. Bonuses this year met my zero expectations. I'm skint, frustrated like everyone, though do what I can. People can protest, and rightfully so. However, if someone decides that they will get out of bed before lunchtime to come looking for a fight, then I'll be the 17st guy in a suit. I'm nails.
- Mark, London, 26/03/2009 12:49
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I guess the protesters will look for ironed jeans that aren't half way down the wearers' backsides.
- Paul, London, 26/03/2009 12:40
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Steve, London: ...university professor? University of East London - sums it up.
- Pat, East Kent UK, 26/03/2009 12:37
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I'm going to wear my lovely paul smith suit!
- Gary Kirby, london, 26/03/2009 12:32
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The worry is that if people "dress down" to avoid looking like typical City workers (whatever that may be), the police are likely to confuse them with the protesters and attack them. Perhaps the protesters could dress as "City workers" to further confuse the issue.
- Pat, East Kent UK, 26/03/2009 12:31
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It looks like a riot is coming - or is it the edge of a revolution? To say that the banks and those who run them are universally unpopular would be an understatement. I suspect feeling is so strong that this is one place to avoid!
- Badfelafel, Glasgow, Scotland, 26/03/2009 12:28
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I am staggerred that a University professor is a main organiser. After all, these people and the students they attend to are so overworked and lacking in money, I cannot but wonder how they find the time and funding to get into the City. Wow, it must be so very tough on them, my admiration and respect for them grows by the minute, they are role models to us all !!!!!
- Steve, London, 26/03/2009 12:12
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A pair of shabby old jeans and a t-shirt should do it. Just remember to leave the Bentley / Ferrari / Aston Martin at home.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 26/03/2009 12:01
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Roll on May! If there is anything left of the staggering UK by that time.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster, 26/03/2009 11:53
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Can't this be used as an excuse to get rid of the suit as the "must have office wear" altogether? Richard Branson does fine without one.
- Thomas, London, 26/03/2009 11:39
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Mcw - That was the year that the demonstrators were flocking into the City in suits. Of course, now that the majority of the Wharf and the City seem to be in permanent dress down, how will the security guys discriminate? "Can I see your labels please, sir?"
- Edward Thompson, Bedfordshire, 26/03/2009 11:39
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It's not exactly a challenge to 'disguise' yourself for the office, is it? Sling a studded belt around your jeans, slip on some converse shoes, and wear a hoodie over your shirt.
Step into the office, change your shoes, take the belt and hoodie off, and you're looking ready for work.
It's not exactly hard, we're all having fun thinking up outfits here.
- Mark Lee, London, 26/03/2009 11:37
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I should think a lot of the demonstrators may well be wearing chinos and loafers - I hadn't realised it was an official uniform of bankers.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 26/03/2009 11:16
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This country needs a good riot and for people to stop paying taxes till the crooks that run this country fix up.
We should not allow the government and banking officials get away with what they are doing!
- Serox, London, 26/03/2009 11:10
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can someone explain to me what exactly it is people are hoping to achieve with this?
- Judy, london, 26/03/2009 11:05
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Ok, I'm not a banker any more, but I'm still tempted to wear a stiff collar and a bowler hat for the hell of it! Then again, maybe I'll become a 'security consultant' for the week - sounds an earner!
- Paul, London, 26/03/2009 10:42
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The last good riots in London were in 1990.The fact that we have waited so long surely means that we will have something very good next week,God willing.
- Thomas, London, 26/03/2009 10:37
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That's what we were told back in 2000 the year after the big "demo" in 1999. We all arrived in mufty and nothing happened. What an anticlimax. Still, it was fun not to wear a suit for the day.....
- Mcw, London, 26/03/2009 10:18
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