- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Commuters head to work as London prepares for G20 protests
- Date: 2nd April 2009
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (APRIL 1, 2009) (REUTERS) SUNRISE OVER TOWER BRIDGE BARGE ON THE THAMES RIVER VARIOUS OF SUNRISE OVER THE CITY OF LONDON VARIOUS OF LONDON BUSES NEAR BANK OF ENGLAND (NUMBER 388 AND NUMBER 8) BANK OF ENGLAND WITH STATUE BOARDED UP VARIOUS OF WORKMEN INSTALLING BARRIERS SECURITY GUARDS ON BALCONY OF BUILDING NEWSPAPER HEADLINE READING "G20: A CITY UNDER SIEGE" BUS DRIVING PAST BANK OF ENGLAND (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMUTER SANJAY, SAYING "Well, I mean, they've got a fair point, I understand what they're saying and I know some people want to have a strong view about that and they want to protest it in a good way and others want to cause trouble. But, I think, well, it's a big mess and I think the politicians should sort it out. We had strong growth, no savings at all and now we're almost bankrupt. So, that's my view but I think they've got a fair point to protest. I'm not joining the protest but I think they've got a very fair point to protest." (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED MALE COMMUTER, SAYING "I don't know. Good for them because other people agree with them. But, you know." COMMUTERS WALKING TO WORK POLICE VAN DRIVING NEAR THE BANK OF ENGLAND
- Embargoed: 17th April 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA16IG960MT7UMC96TDEPE4UO1B
- Story Text: As London commuters headed to work on Wednesday morning (April 1), the city was bracing itself for a wave of protests ahead of Thursday's G20 summit meeting in the capital.
Security was tight around the city and barriers were being erected outside the Bank of England where demonstrators are planning to gather later in the day.
According to protest internet sites, processions will begin at four railway stations near the City of London financial district, headed by "Four Horsefolk of the Apocalypse": Climate Chaos, War, Job/saving/pensions losses, and Home repossessions.
The parades then will converge on the Bank of England.
"Join thousands of disgruntled, angry, pissed-off people on the streets of the financial district," said a statement posted on the "Wombles" anarchist website.
"As the bankers continue to cream off billions of pounds of our money let's put the call out -- reclaim the money, storm the banks and send them packing," the statement said.
Environment campaigners are also planning a "Climate Camp" in front of the Bank of England and at the European Climate Exchange in London's Bishopsgate area.
Organisers say there will also be a demonstration outside the ExCel Centre in East London, where the G20 summit is taking place.
"Whether you've been looking for a chance to dip a toe into the growing climate action movement, or have had your kick-ass action planned since last year, now is the time to do it -- whatever it is," organisers say on their website.
More protesters will gather at the U.S. Embassy on Grosvenor Square and march for a rally in central London, while anti-war protesters will also be out in the streets.
"Our message will be "Yes We Can'. Yes we can end the siege of Gaza and free Palestine, get the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, make jobs not bombs, abolish nukes, and stop arming Israel," organisers say.
Some people on their way to work on Wednesday morning appeared to support the demonstrators:
"It's a big mess and I think the politicians should sort it out.
We had strong growth, no savings at all and now we're almost bankrupt. So, that's my view but I think they've got a fair point to protest. I'm not joining the protest but I think they've got a very fair point to protest," said commuter Sanjay.
Leaders of the world's largest economies are continuing to arrive in the British capital, and U.S. President Barack Obama has already held an early morning meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street.
LONDON STOCKSHOTS - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
