More Of A Party Than A March!

Anti-Criminal Justice Bill march and street party, central London, May 1st 1994.

The Injustice-to-people-who-just-want-to-get-on-with-their-lives-Bill has drawn together anti-roads people, travellers, ravers, sabs, and the generally-pissed-off-with-the-latest-Tory-outrage. Full credit to the Advance Party for organising a non-violent afternoon of fun and thoughtfulness in the sun, no credit to the heavy handed Metropolitan Police for doing their utmost to turn the Criminal Justice Bill (CJB) rally into a riot.

Were the 20 riot vans and baton swiping policemen really necessary? Why is it that people in uniforms can’t handle drums and dancing and people having FUN? During one incident a playful frolicker (allegedly) dared to touch the helmet of one of her majesty’s officers. This he paid for when he found himself being pursued at high speed around the square by a snarling policeman. Estimates range, (let's call it 20,000) of the numbers who got themselves to London for the rally, but let’s just say there wasn’t much room for the pigeons. The mainstream media had no time for the march, the only good thing about measly Guardian article, which didn’t even mention anti-roads protests, was that the reporter must have gone home before the police kicked off... Judging by plod’s behaviour we could do with a CJB to sort out the Met. If only it were applied to them.