Fantasy Football

Reclaim the Streets and Strike Oil! activists took over a pitch-sized part of City Road in London in December for an unofficial game of football. Drivers were quite patient after an initial attempt to turn the game into slalom racing but the police arrived after about 20 minutes - just as the first-half whistle went - and helped to remove the goal-posts. Meanwhile oranges were being handed out to the players. Due to police invading the pitch the 2nd half was postponed...

Timed to coincide with the half-way point of the Kyoto Climate Conference in Japan, the match featured activists dressed as top political players like Tony Blair and Bill Clinton alongside numerous be-suited corporate leaders, playing with a football painted to resemble the Earth.

The 'global' football match marked the last day of the RTS/Strike Oil! occupation and rehabilitation of a disused petrol station. This had been transformed into a petrol-free garage with banners, murals and art installations as well as various activities - cycle demos, bike-powered parties, kids' days - and a daily commuter cafe. Contact 0171 281 4621 rts@gn.apc.org