G20 summit: Diary of a London green protestor

[cali]

Police have ensured a tense day in the capital after their apocalyptic riot warnings. This is the diary of The First Post’s man on the spot

By Seth JacobsonFIRST POSTED APRIL 1, 2009I am with the Green Horsemen of the Apocalypse - the 'Green Horse march' for short - who are protesting against environmental crimes. Our plan is to march down Bishopsgate to the Bank of England and later to join up with the Climate Camp protestors who plan to set up tents at 12.30pm somewhere in the City.

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3.19 pm, Bishopsgate. I've finally reached the Climate Camp. We're in the middle of Bishopsgate in beautiful sunshine among dozens of tents pitched in the street. It is a ludicrous but fantastic sight. Worth the wait.

2.45 pm, Mansion House Street. The police line has been broken by a massive crowd pushing out of the area in front of the Bank of England down Mansion House Street. Riot police tried to close the breach but didn’t have the strength in numbers. The crowd are setting the pace now and having broken through, they're wandering further into the City. The police don't seem to have anywhere to regroup to. The crowd is peaceful at the moment. Now the police seem to be forming a new line at the end of Queen Victoria Street.

2.16pm, Corner of Threadneedle Street and Bartholomew Lane. Lots of riot police after the attack on RBS. A large group of black-hooded protesters have headed to the front where riot police are waiting for them. The police on the front line won't evenacknowledge the protestors. Now the police horses have appeared and there’s red smoke in the air - I think it's a flare - and drum n bass playing over the sound system. Projectiles are flying over my head. Two-way traffic to and from the frontline as fighters rush forward and the rest steam back. Horrible atmosphere.
Protestors set up tents at the Climate Camp outside the Climate Exchange building in Bishopsgate near London's Liverpool Street Station1.48 pm, Bank of England. The police are putting on their riot gear as windows are broken at the RBS branch next to the Bank of England. Not good.

1.10 pm, Bank of England. The best banner reads: 'Oi Jackie, we won't pay for your porn'. But things have turned nasty: the police dive into the crowd to arrest a punk. The crowd surrounds them, throwing objects. Lots of police run in to save their colleague. The drunk hooligan tendency is in full flow now and the police have been forced to react. The media is still everywhere.

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http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/46897,features,g20-live-from-the-protests

[cali]

1. kick for an interesting read.