arten
02-04-2009, 03:02 PM
Just got back from the Bank of England. I was leafleting the demonstrators and police. The police had a lot of the protestors penned in and not allowing them to leave. I wanted to join them while a number of protesor wanted to leave. I suggested we swap. There was a body of police two deep in between. They would not allow the exchange. Many of the protesters wanted to leave and was shouting such. I'm sure their rights were being infringed - I suspectwe the taxpayer will pay for that months down the line . I explained that I wanted to inform them about NOTA. I tried to break their lines but was physically restricted from doing so. I had requested that the crowd get out their cameras and record it since I expected to get arrested (unlawfully I hasten to add ) but the police sensibly did not step it up and I could not use any force otherwise I would get lawfully arrested. I did have a minor victory though. I was able to throw a batch of leaflets to the penned in demonstrators despite police attempts to stop me. They welcomed and read it. All in all I distributed around a thousand leaflets so it was a job well done.
As an aside I expect trouble later since the penned in demonstrators did look very agitated.
Terry Marsh 15:18 yesterday
I work in the City, in finance, and when I left the office to make my way to Fenchurch Street station, as I have done countless times before, I walk via the Bank Station next to the Bank of England. I was aware that many, many peaceful demonstrators, and a few not so peaceful, were penned in (see my earlier post). However, the Metropolitain Police and the City police had made announcements that the were determined that it would be business as usual in the city. I therefore expected no obstruction as I made my regular journey to Fenchurch street station via the Bank. As I approached the bank vicinity I was informed by the police that I was not allowed through. I insisted on my right to passage and also questioned the police's authority to detain hundreds if not thousand of peaceful demonstrators. I was handcuffed and arrested for obstruction- - in fact it was the police obstructing me. I was then abducted by the police and driven to Saville Row police station in the West End of London. Whereupon I was 'de-arrested' and free to go.
I actually feel sorry for the demonstrators, not in a patronising sort of way, I hasten to add. Demonstrations are a political tool of last resort. It effectively means that all the other methods of lobbying have failed. You don't have access to the decision makers. It invariably means that the movement is inarticulate in making their arguement or impoverished and thus unable to buy access to the policy makers. Let me demonstrate my point if - if you pardon the pun. A reported million people marched against the war in Iraq, Yet it had no effect on the outcome.
People get power through the ballot box and it is a paradox that 21% of the electorate can can impose their will on the remaining 79%. How does it happen? Because too many of the electorate are denied the facility to withhold their consent against those seeking office. NOTA exists to correct that imbalance and will facilitate the means by which it can be achieved - should the electorate wish it.
Terry Marsh 23:10
As an aside I expect trouble later since the penned in demonstrators did look very agitated.
Terry Marsh 15:18 yesterday
I work in the City, in finance, and when I left the office to make my way to Fenchurch Street station, as I have done countless times before, I walk via the Bank Station next to the Bank of England. I was aware that many, many peaceful demonstrators, and a few not so peaceful, were penned in (see my earlier post). However, the Metropolitain Police and the City police had made announcements that the were determined that it would be business as usual in the city. I therefore expected no obstruction as I made my regular journey to Fenchurch street station via the Bank. As I approached the bank vicinity I was informed by the police that I was not allowed through. I insisted on my right to passage and also questioned the police's authority to detain hundreds if not thousand of peaceful demonstrators. I was handcuffed and arrested for obstruction- - in fact it was the police obstructing me. I was then abducted by the police and driven to Saville Row police station in the West End of London. Whereupon I was 'de-arrested' and free to go.
I actually feel sorry for the demonstrators, not in a patronising sort of way, I hasten to add. Demonstrations are a political tool of last resort. It effectively means that all the other methods of lobbying have failed. You don't have access to the decision makers. It invariably means that the movement is inarticulate in making their arguement or impoverished and thus unable to buy access to the policy makers. Let me demonstrate my point if - if you pardon the pun. A reported million people marched against the war in Iraq, Yet it had no effect on the outcome.
People get power through the ballot box and it is a paradox that 21% of the electorate can can impose their will on the remaining 79%. How does it happen? Because too many of the electorate are denied the facility to withhold their consent against those seeking office. NOTA exists to correct that imbalance and will facilitate the means by which it can be achieved - should the electorate wish it.
Terry Marsh 23:10