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Brass bands and banners, then it turned nasty
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter1 Apr 2009
IT had been mainly peaceful atmosphere, of chanting and whistling demonstrators, accompanied by a brass band, with banners advocating various causes.
But just before 1pm, at the junction of Threadneedle Street and Bartholomew Lane, near to the Bank of England, it turned ugly.
Angry protesters tried to force their way through police lines. They hurled empty beer cans, fruit and flour at officers from the City of London and British Transport Police.
Officers were forced to draw batons, lashing out at surging groups of protesters attempting to reach a camp established by climate change activists in nearby Bishopsgate.
Demonstrators holding horses' heads made of cloth and sticks, flags and figures of death repeatedly clashed with the officers in a tense stand-off.
But earlier, however, as police helicopters hovered overhead, a brass band struck up Down By The Riverside, while youths blew whistles.
One group waved red flags, emblazoned with the word "Revolution", while another huddled under a banner declaring "Make Love Not Leverage".
Two City workers, wearing suits, surveyed the crowds around them. "We must be the two biggest idiots in London right now," declared Graham Heffernan, an office manager, seeing the mob was not turning nasty.
Most of the City had dressed down today, heeding the warnings of their bosses. But not hard to spot, however, were many wearing chinos and polo shirts.
Reader views (8)
Who have the benefit of the crime... Is It Nicolas Sarkozy the head of anarchists?
- Bravojorge, Vina Del Mar , Chile, 02/04/2009 05:00
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The British police love trouble. Nothing pleases them more than successfully provoking a situation so that they can go in hard. The peaceful G20 protests gave them their latest chance to smash the heads of unarmed protesters.
- Duckshoot, London, England, 02/04/2009 00:06
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Whata bunch of idiots. I work in city but they have just destroyed what was a peacefull march by the Climate Change Protestors which as a city worker I support but it won't be remembered for that. I'm getting ready for work tomorrow... U haven't changed a thing..
- Sean, london, 01/04/2009 22:27
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All I see is pictures of protesters being beaten by smiling coppers.
- Kerry Trubee, Purley, 01/04/2009 19:26
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I see the police well tooled up; but no protesters tooled up at all?
Bit like the miners strike really; till the batons are drawn; then the riots really start.
If I was in charge; I would use good will and humour; it is hard to hate someone being nice to you; but very easy to hate someone clubbing your head in.
- mickyinlondon, london, 01/04/2009 16:49
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Yeah. I'm sure all at RBS agree with you.
- Stu, Beckton, 01/04/2009 16:14
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"I work in the City and I went there at lunchtime to see the demonstration and it was really nice. I found friendly demonstrators and we exchanged views in a very civilised way. I'm really glad of it."... Good for him (and brave) - good for them (and sensible). Pity we don't have a credible 'Parliament' (wozzatfor?) who can discuss these things without fiddling the figures.
- Steve, London, England, 01/04/2009 16:03
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I work in the City and I went there at lunchtime to see the demonstration and it was really nice. I found friendly demonstrators and we exchanged views in a very civilised way. I'm really glad of it.
- Ale, London, UK, 01/04/2009 14:19
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