The Accidental Protester
 

Reposted from Omni:

Quite by accident, I joined between 750,000 and 2 million (depending on whom you believe) Britons on Saturday for a leisurely walk around London. The route of that march (Westminster to Trafalger to Park Lane) happend to also be my sightseeing route!! So it was a TOTAL coincidence but it worked out great that I could bask in the warmth (but also unfortunately many of the smells) of so many others on that cold day.
It was frankly a great way to see London. As for the cause, well I feel the same way about the impending war as I do about abortion: as long as it does not personally effect me, I suppose it's ok.

As for the protesters, the only really offensive things I saw were some of the Free Palestine crowd who had some disparaging things to say about America. And in fact, there were some very, very funny signs that I will post photos of tomorrow.

All in all, the event was orderly, peaceful and interesting. The thick crowds did get tiresome after a while, but the solitude to be found at Churchill's cigar lounge at the InterContinental made up for that at the end of the day! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

My photos, as promised: http://ftpics.markbach.com/gallery/londonprotests

Be sure to check out the one that (IMHO) won the BEST SIGN award http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.

thanks for the pictures.

you're right: it's not everyday that one gets to walk down the center of whitehall

I prefer 'shaved' ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

I think you stepped on my toes. I was the one trying to go in the opposite direction - kinda like playing human Frogger.

The previous weekend I got wrapped up in another protest in Molokai - three folks sitting on the corner of the only "major" town. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in spirit. I wish I had photos.

[This message has been edited by letiole (edited 02-20-2003).]

Great pics! Out of curiousity, what were you doing/saying in the third picture that got everyone in the crowd to look at you and smile? Or is it best left to the imagination? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I screamed, "UNCLE SAM SAYS: SAY CHEESE!!!!"

Naw, actually, if you look carefully, you will see that in a couple of those photos they are all looking at this and smiling and laughing.

We spent about 15 minutes watching the crowd go by from a ledge behind the Bush lady and just thought everyone was very happy and smiling at us. We couldnt believe what a happy lot these peaceters were until we saw the sign turned around http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

koko,

great post! what an exciting way to see london. don't you wish you had a pair of purple rhinestone panties with you to give to the girl with the great sign? just a thought.

cheers!


[This message has been edited by DFWTripGuy (edited 02-20-2003).]

We also joined the protest by accident when we had to march a half a block to cross through the march. The best thing about the whole day was with all the streets blocked it was great walking and there were no crowds anywhere else.

Doesn't sound offensive to me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

(Before you all start: I love many things about America, just not your foreign policy... and besides, I'm just stirring anyway http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif )

The crowds were nightmarish... I concur.

I heard quite a few anti-American sentiments being tossed about in the crowd which was disturbing to me... different factions seemed to be along different parts of the route, however. At times it really seemed like a massive family parade with middle class yuppie types strolling with their kids... in other spots a hippie love-in... and at yet others, a die-hard anti-war rally.

If I had known you were in town, I would have bought you a beer or two. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Saddam sends mad love to all the protestors...

Perhaps he could give asylum to some of our more TRIPPIN (courtesy of techgirl) celebrities, none of which would be able to acquire the wealth and press they have in a country like his. I confess that I do admire many of them for their talent....but they really need to stay out of politics.