After the demo

Some observations:

Pick an issue: I decided, in the end, that I should pick one of the many issues being demonstrated about, so that I could feel part of the demo. So I chose Free Palestine – an issue well worth demonstrating for – and bought a mug as a sign of solidarity (although I now notice that the Socialist Worker’s website is advertised on it in small letters).

Numbers: the police estimated 20,000 at the demo, the organisers 40-50,000. I decided to estimate numbers myself. The march took 30 minutes to pass my position outside M&S -a few minutes were deducted because of hold-ups. The crowd was about 12 deep. So, if people passed me at the rate of 12 a second, there were 21,600 people.

Craig Murray: after all my efforts, I did get to see His Excellency on a large monitor in Albert Square. However, his words were drowned out by a samba band. He still has the classic look of a British diplomat in casual attire – beige chinos and a denim shirt – but I have never seen one deliver a speech so passionately.

Technology: a Palm Pilot and a mobile phone was all I had, and it worked very well. Wanted to use wi-fi, but couldn’t find a signal. Still need a way of taking and uploading web-ready photos on the move – that will have to be my next objective.

The joy of crowds: I think the last demo I went on was in 1991 against student loans. I had forgotten what sort of buzz you can get from being in large crowds with a mission. Being on the football terraces has the same rush.

23.9.06 18:01
 


To date 1 Comment(s)     TrackBack-URL


Simon Pringle (23.9.06 19:13)
 Guff. Your metrics are wrong, will be less than 12 people passing you a second.

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