Eyewitness report - Ashdown Gate

international | summit mobilisations | news report Saturday May 01, 2004 23:24 by bring the noise protestor

As the protest approached the roundabout it was met by a line of police - stopping it.... details

A line of police were blocking the road. Yellow jackets.
The demonstration stopped a good distance back from the police. Many people sitting down for a rest. After 15 minutes or so some protestors started to move forwards.
A good gap was kept between protestors and the police. As people advanced some at the front made to move back some were impeded by police.

When the demonstation was close to the police there was a call from the block near the front that the police were stopping the demo and people would try and continue - if anyone didn't want to take part they should move back. Some time later the block linked up and moved to push against the yellow jackets. Little was thrown at this point - some placards and cans.

Within a matter of seconds the riot police had lined up behind the yellow jackets. The pushing lasted for about 15 seconds longer - the yellow jackets retreated and the riot police came in against the front of the demo.

This lasted at most a minute before the water cannon was deployed. Many didn't move, as a whole water cannon was emptied and the second had to be deployed.

As people are marching back into town police are blocking the side streets. The riot police are following at a distance, until the marchers take a break or slow down, at which point they run into the back of the demo.

People are tired but mostly with good spirits. People calling for dignified move. Drumming and music continues.