No point coming to Canary Wharf. It's as dull as usual round here, much to the disgust of the security people. A couple of rolling road blocks aside it's a normal, beige day here.
There's some scruffy oik with a megaphone outside the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street trying to whip up a frenzy.
Anyone care to place a bet on the nature of his education and family background? Trustafarian, I'd wager....
And, as to the issue of all the other great unwashed dressed in their black hoodies, balaclavas and the like....Intent on a peaceful protest? Bullsh1t. They're just the usual rent a mob who turn up at anything looking for a fight. Tw@s the lot of them.
police being forced backwards now, many many more people here than anticipated i think
Hang on, Flashy! That means you're blaming...
...the Middle Classes.
Dear God.
Indeed I am. Arriviste scum the lot of them. 😉
it's a normal, beige day here.
Are there any protesters there, though?
I really don't fancy being in the scrum at Bank, tbh. Fluffy and peaceful suits (!) me...
*loads tear gas into grenade launcher*
Wait 'til you see the whites of their eyes, boys!
They're just the usual rent a mob who turn up at anything looking for a fight. Tw@s the lot of them.
I agree. But most people there seem to be just normal bods. A lot of 'studenty' types, it looks like, but you'll always get the young idealistic people at things like this. And quite right, an' all. Plenty of healthy young energetic shouty people!
Nothing I can see, Rudeboy. They couldn't cope with the wall of indifference, I suspect.
"A lot of 'studenty' types"
Probably dressed down city workers come to see what all the fuss is about.
Anyone fancy a pint in the Lamb?
Any excitement going on as I'm about to head off, suit 'n' all.
I really do hope it does not in any way kick off, because undoubtedly, innocent people will get hurt. And as for those who'd attack someone in a suit, well, I see that as akin to racism; acting with prejudice towards someone for their appearance, opinions and way of life. That's not right. Good to see so many people defying 'police advice', and just wearing what they choose to. Fair play to them.
Not everyone in a suit is a ****. Likewise, the same goes for people with dreadlocks, hoodies, dogs on string etc.
"1230: City workers have been leaning out of windows to wave £10 notes at G20 protesters on the streets below, the Press Association reports. Demonstrators responded with jeers and shouts, their reporter says."
lol
well that's inflation for you. In 1999 it was £50 notes 🙂
It's kicking off now
i'm off in a few minutes with my 'get a job you workshy soapdodger' placard.
i couldn't get a bowler hat to go with the suit though.
Yes, there's some scuffling developing. Seems to stem from one or two individuals, who are goading the police. This is just the kind of thing that is not needed. It just takes a tiny spark, then you've got mass hysteria, and it all goes horribly wrong.
i'm off in a few minutes with my 'get a job you workshy soapdodger' placard.
I'm assuming that's a joke, but is not that just antagonistic, and adding fuel to the flames?
Hopefully. It's deadly dull at the moment. We need more violence. All those camera crews and journalists are going to be very peeved if it doesn't kick off 🙂
I'm assuming that's a joke, but is not that just antagonistic, and adding fuel to the flames?
I'm sure the protesters aren't keeping track of this thread on their iPhones, so don't think that comment will act as any sort of catalyst for trouble or violence.
I wish I was in London to back you up Mr Smith. I've got a spare "get a job, get a haircut" placard I haven't used for a while. 🙂
Rudeboy in adding fuel to the flames comment, oh the irony!
I'm sure the protesters aren't keeping track of this thread on their iPhones, so don't think that comment will act as any sort of catalyst for trouble or violence.
Probbly right, but it does point towards the animosity between people, which is understandable, and has been intensified by the media.
Of course, nothing is actually stopping you from forming your own counter-protest. In fact, please do, as it can surely only contribute toward the democratic process; good to have as many diverse opinions as possible, surely?
I'm afraid there will be a bit of a mark-up on the Imodium; supply and demand, 'Market Forces'. I'm sure you understand that. 😉
Rudeboy in adding fuel to the flames comment, oh the irony!
Shhhh....
I just wandered down to bank, in my suit and tie. not really much happenning at all. the police are keeping them pretty well penned in.
Plenty of people in suits etc right up close to the action, and no ill feeling there. Business as usual as far as all but those in the square are concerned.
I feel a bit left out as I'm in Barbican, nothing ever happens here 🙁 All I get is the buzz of the chopper hovering over Bank.
I've just rode around the BofE - it's mostly city workers taking pictures on their mobiles of the police, photographers and the odd brick thrower
Right it's official going tits up. The RBS building being assulted is on my route to the station!
That's good, pk-ripper. When my offices were in the City I joined the 2000 protest - well, it was the only way to get across Cornhill to the Mont Blanc shop 😀 Wierd experience - naked people, some up lampposts, ambled along in a carnival atmosphere (OK, those up the lampposts sort of hung around, but you get the picture). Very nice - hardest thimng I had to do was to talk my way back into work past the over-zealous security people.
Anyway, all quiet on the Eastern Front still.
Any live feeds on any of the news channels?
Any live feeds on any of the news channels?
Nah, they've gone all modern with twitter these days dontcha know 😉
Not sure to be honest 🙂
Raving loons out the front of RBS. There seems to be a fair mix of genuinely concerned people, knobs out to casue trouble, and students with nothing better to do.
yep RBS building is getting a kicking
apparently one of the only buildings on the route, that didnt board up their windows
seems to be another outstanding display of intelligence from the bank that rewarded fred the shed for his spectacular success
wait a minute dont we all own a bit of rbs after the bail out??
Sky News are trying their hardest to make it sound more entertaining than it is
Shit; shooduv got down there, and nabbed a new computer!
Oh lord 😯
[img] 
[/img]
when the city workers all turned up in casual dress - it would have been interesting to see all the demonstrators turn up in suits. 🙂
sadly, tax payers will be paying for 80% of those RBS windows
Police are now penning people in, and not allowing people in or out. Seems they're now squeezing people into a tighter and tighter space. Classic provocative tactics, which will undoubtedly provoke an aggressive response.
Clear to see on BBC live footage.
They should allow people to leave, if they want to. What's the sense in holding people in a small area, and not allowing them freedom of movement?
The police were doing well until that point.
police are putting on riot gear apparently....
1405 The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says: A dozen or so police officers are putting on riot gear. On this corner of Threadneedle Street some of the protesters have been surging forward trying to push through the police line. The police have blocked off all approaches to the square, they are letting people out but no one back in again.
shoot all the workshy lazy twunts now they have cornered em....
Is it not the other way around? Aggressive tactics from some protesters (punching / shoving / smashing windows / throwing objects / breaking into rbs) causing an aggressive response from the police?
nickname - seems to me you are right, what are the police meant to do? let them smash up whatever they want?
Well, according to the BBC crews, the trouble started after the police cordoned off one area, and are preventing anyone from leaving. The BBC reporters are saying that trouble is flaring up, as people try to leave the cordoned off area.
Admittedly, a few idiots are smashing things up. But the police actions do seem deliberately provocative.
Admittedly, a few idiots are smashing things up. But the police actions do seem deliberately provocative.
Do you honestly believe the Police want a riot? 🙄
Ummmm, you honestly believe that some of the Police don't want a riot? I know a few people who joined the Police growing up just so they could get in a fight and not get arrested.
Do you honestly believe the Police want a riot? [:roll:]
Well isn't it what coppers like? To do kick the shit out of people when they are sure they have the superiority?
I'd like to see them go face to face with protesters like men, without gear or tears gases or water canon