In the Designated Area (II)...

On Friday I went along to the Parliament protest to register my disgust at various items:

































There seemed to be slightly less people this time - only about 100 - but there was a lot of different people from last time, so maybe the word is spreading...

Some of my favourites:



We also had some political representation in the name of London's Lib Dem MEP Sarah Luford.



































Hopefully at the next one there'll be more of our elected representatives...

I've got a load more photos over on Flickr.

From now on it’s a monthly thing, taking place the third Wednesday of the month. The next one is on 18^th October, with the forms being handed in on 11^th October.

I’m actually thinking of going along to the next one, but not getting permission in advance. What I’ve noticed with the other two that I’ve been to is that the police don’t check whether you have the forms, as long as there’s quite a big group of you present. So, what I’m thinking of doing is not getting permission, but still go and protest, just to see what the police actually do… anyone else interested? Of course, there can’t bee too many of us without permission, as it’d ruin it completely, and, obviously, the police would have a record of the number of people who’ve been given permission and the numbers actually present.

Applying for Permission...

I went and handed in my form for next week’s protest – this time you have to protest against two things:

1. “Radiohead”: their song “No Surprises” contains the lyrics “Bring down the government/They don’t, they don’t speak for us” which I feel is apt…
2. “Pointless bureaucracy”: the fact that I have to spend my precious free time filling in a form and then having to traipse along to the police station to get them to sign and authorise it which also wastes their time.

While I was doing this I bumped into Davide of Nether-World and Blairwatch and we went to the pub for a few drinks and talked about various things…

On my way home, I got a call off the police! They said that they were unable to authorise my protest as I’d asked for permission to protest within the entire “Designate Area” which they said was not allowed! I then said “In that case, please can you change it to Parliament Square?” which was acceptable…

In the Designated Area...

Last week, I queued up to hand in my form for the Lone Protest (for which I was given permission). Unknown to me was that people were taking photos of us handing in our forms, and that one picture (from Davide on The Nether-World) did capture me in all my “glory”. There was one woman who gave her permission on a cake – I like it. Next time I’ll do summat other than fill in the form – anyone got a suggestion?

On Wednesday evening – sat at home killing time on the Internet, as it was the day before payday – I got an email off Tim Bloggerheads inviting me for a piss-up afterwards. After spending a few seconds considering the consequences: give up the (relative) anonymity he has built up over the past 16 months to meet people whose rantings and ravings he reads in exchange for alcohol. I realised, to quote that great philosopher Homer, “Ahh, beer! My one true weakness, my Achilles-heel if you will”, so, yeah!

On Thursday, after a “busy day” at work, I run to the train station to make my date with destiny. I got to the protest at 5:45pm but due to my permission letter, I’m unable to bring out my sign, as the permitted time hasn’t yet started, so I was just talking to people…

At 6pm Big Ben chimes and it starts – 200 people, all protesting different things, but at the same time and in the same place – lots of noise, from Brian Haw – who needs a car battery for his megaphone; has anyone got one they don’t need? – through to me “No to ID Cards”, as per my sign. Others I enjoyed were the campaign to ban Robbie Williams for crimes against music – which I wholeheartedly agree with – demanding improvements in public transport, namely the North London Line, people showing the absurdity of the law as people have been arrested for reading newspapers and the Socialist Wanker.

The other bloggers who I spoke to were Justin – protesting to ban everything, as well as to legalise everything [I’m now in possession of it. Justin left it in the pub and, as it would have been a waste of all the time and effort he put in, I decided to rescue it (this isn’t theft as he gave me permission to do it!). I got quite a lot of looks when I was walking back to the train station and I’m a bit surprised as I was holding it up on my shoulder within the Designated Area and so this could have been classed as an illegal protest]; Tim – demanding his £2000 from Transparent Tony (see here for the background), Rachel – demanding an inquiry to the 7^th July bombs and Davide – protesting against invasions of our privacy [I can't seem to find a photo with your sign, sorry!].

See here for my photos, while other people have put theirs on here, London Daily Photo, Chris King or on the official Mark Thomas website).

BBC London were there doing a report (I’m briefly in the background at 1:27.2) which has an argument between the organiser Mark Thomas and Brian Coleman, the Tory member of the London Assembly for Barnet & Camden (his view boils down to “Money is more important than freedom of expression.” Please, if he is your “elected representative” vote this guy out)

At 6:45 Tim announced that he had permission to march on Downing Street, in order to collect his money off our Dear Leader. We sent off and Tim used Rachel’s banner as a loudspeaker to get Bliar’s attention (stolen from Justin’s moblog). Unfortunately, our Dear Leader is too much of a deadbeat to pay up. [Tim, how about sticking an ASBO on him? Or, as you’re claiming money for services provided for him, sue his arse for breach of contract! Free legal advice: you’ve got 7 years from when the breach occurred to issue court proceedings. As you sent the invoice in 2003, you’ve got plenty of time!].

Then we went to Bliar’s local, the Red Lion – the pub opposite Downing Street – for many a drink, where we discussed politics and blogging (Chris King seems to have taken photos of the gang itself! Yay!). Nice to see that real-life is no different to t’internet life ;-)

Not everyone was impressed by our actions: the Devil’s Kitchen, who slags off the government more than anyone, is having a go at those of us who dare to protest against the government! Dickhead… all talk, no action…

Oh yeah, everyone there got a badge of honour. I wonder how many have gone on eBay?