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Tourism and London Protests
With George W. Bush coming to London next week I thought it would be a
good time to discuss the impact of democratic protests on tourists in London. During protest days you should expect to have to mainly walk across London because the route for the march will be closed to traffic and a lot of underground stations are prone to be closed on short notice. The numbers that turn up for these protests can be staggering, as one recent anti-war march was later acknowledged to have in access of two million people attending it. Also expect the police to restrict your movements. They will have two concerns, keeping George W. Bush safe and containing the protest. Streets will be closed off and admittance to some places will be completely forbidden. If a policeman bars your way don't be afraid to be ask him for an alternative route. Due to new draconic anti-terrorism laws police can stop, search and detain people so make sure you can recognise UK police uniforms and identification cards. Bush's visit is not a good time to be found carrying anything that can be mistaken for a weapon or even eggs, flour and other that things British people typically like to throw at politicians to disgrace them. Joining a march can is a possibility as long as you are patient enough to cope with regular, unexplained stoppages. At the starting points you can generally find a protest banner that suits your beliefs and you'll find that every peaceful protester will be welcome. You'll find a wide array of opinions but the majority will be anti-war and anti-militarism protestors. Americans who want to join the protest but feel nervous about attending should probably consider carrying a copy of "Hey Dude, Where's my Country?" with them. People who want to welcome Bush should probably contact the American embassy in London. This will probably be the most dangerous the of the two events to attend, with threats to life and limb coming from assassination attempts, from over-reactions to direct action protests and from people being shot by accident by American security. Avoiding both the protest marches and Bush's visit in London is possible but remember that you will probably be inconvenienced by both unless you are patient, resourceful and prepared. These days would probably be a good time to visit places outside of Central London, such as Greenwich and Battersea. Travelling into London on the days of George W. Bush's visit should be done early and you should expect trains to be crowded and cancellations to be made to reduce the people able to travel into the capital and exercise their democratic right to protest. -- Guy Robinson [all standard disclaimers apply] |
#2
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Tourism and London Protests
Travelling into London on the days of George W. Bush's visit should be done early and you should expect trains to be crowded and cancellations to be made to reduce the people able to travel into the capital and exercise their democratic right to protest. Nah - thats just normal for the trains over here - Dont get paranoid. |
#3
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Tourism and London Protests
"Guy Robinson" wrote in message om... Travelling into London on the days of George W. Bush's visit should be done early and you should expect trains to be crowded and cancellations to be made to reduce the people able to travel into the capital and exercise their democratic right to protest. More likely cancellations will happen because of the train drivers dispute. Keith |
#4
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Tourism and London Protests
Following up to Guy Robinson
Travelling into London on the days of George W. Bush's visit should be done early and you should expect trains to be crowded Its called the morning rush hour. -- Mike Reid "Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso UK walking & photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site Spain,cuisines and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap |
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Tourism and London Protests
"Miss L. Toe" wrote ...
| Travelling into London on the days of George W. Bush's visit | should be done early and you should expect trains to be crowded | and cancellations to be made to reduce the people able to | travel into the capital and exercise their democratic right | to protest. | Nah - thats just normal for the trains over here - Dont get paranoid. There's no need for Mr Bush to come over and disrupt the trains. That's London Transport's job. Owain |
#6
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Tourism and London Protests
(Guy Robinson) wrote in message . com...
With George W. Bush coming to London next week I thought it would be a good time to discuss the impact of democratic protests on tourists in London. snip Americans wishing to join other Americans in London for this protest should go he http://expatsagainstbush.typepad.com..._on_plans.html Oh and I've been in London during the big protests and they aren't as disruptive as they sound. London is a big city and only about 60,000 to a 100,000 protestors are expected. There will be cops all over the place. If you don't want to participate why not plan on spending the day at the Tower of London or Hampton Court which will be far away from the protests. |
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Tourism and London Protests
I was in London in March during anti-war protests. They were a bit of an
inconvenience, but the city was still quite accessible. Some of the statues in Parliament Square were boarded up to protect against vandalism and some of the Tube stations were closed. It's important to note that these protests are against the Bush administration, not the United States and American people. During the March protests, there were large, visible contingents of American participants. I found it fascinating. |
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Tourism and London Protests
In article , Guy
Robinson writes Joining a march can is a possibility as long as you are patient enough to cope with regular, unexplained stoppages. Your 'stoppage' could last most of the day as security forces in London have taken to containing demonstrators within an enclosed area for very long periods of time, as happened at a May Day demo a few years ago. Tourists caught up in the crowd couldn't get out no matter how much they pleaded. -- congokid Eating out in London? Read my tips... http://congokid.com |
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