An early morning start, at 7am. Rank-and-file electricians involved in a pay dispute ("sparks"), students, and their supporters took the streets outside the Pinnacle building site in the City before marching to the Cannon St construction site. They refused to be stopped by police and pushed through police lines to reach their destination [video] then leaving there just after 9am onto their stated tour of the construction industry in the area including a visit to the Occupied London camp at St Paul's. Earlier speakers urged people to join the students in marching later in the day.
A large student demonstration started at University of London student union and set off towards the City. With up to 15,000 people demonstrating at various parts of London, the day was characterised by a heavy intimidatory police presence at every intersection already tooled up in riot gear and shields, with snatch squads and moving kettles. There was an attempt made to occupy Trafalgar Square using pop up tents which was quickly cleared and 12 arrests made. The student march ended up near Moorgate station surrounded by lines of riot police that let people out slowly, the aim seemed to frustrate and minimise the visibility of the political message. By the end of the day 20 people had been arrested, a few of whom are still in cells.
Source London Indymedia
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Friday, 11 November 2011
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