London: city of demos

Blimey. I got rather more than I bargained for today. I went to London with the intention of meeting up with members of AFA (anti fascist action) to stand against the EVF (English Volunteer Force - far right organisation which has come from the dregs of the English Defence League) as the EVF had announced plans for a big demo which they intended would 'unite the right'.

Yes, I met up with AFA and yes, I witnessed the shambles which was the 'big EVF demo'. It attracted about 50 people, plus a bloke dressed as a banana (I kid you not) and their sound system was so crap it sounded like the speakers were chewing rocks.

However, I also chanced upon several other demos taking place all within walking distance of each other. Each demo offered up it's own unique photo opportunities so I naturally took advantage of them. The demos were:

- protest against the situation in the Ukraine (opposite Downing Street)

- Free Tibet rally (opposite Downing Street - not sure whether the Ukraine protesters had moved on) and march down toward Trafalgar Square then onwards

- Anti Fascist Action gathered at Trafalgar Square before moving off to meet EVF.

- EVF small, intimate gathering of about 50 people opposite Houses of Parliament

- Remember Fukushima rally directly after EVF (and the bloke dressed as a banana) had moved off. It was rather lovely that they used the same space as EVF because it kind of cleansed the space, if you get my drift.

In terms of numbers, the Free Tibet rally and march won hands down. It was incredibly well supported, and the photo you see here is from that rally.

Albums of all these gatherings are on my personal Facebook page (Ann Nicholls) if you care to take a look.

The only nasty bit of action I witnessed was this. It all happened very quickly, just outside the 'pen' which had been provided for the EVF to hold their gathering, and thankfully the person in this shot got to his feet shortly afterwards and was promptly handcuffed and marched off.