Class war

I was at brunch yesterday with a group comprised mostly of friends, and one of them was a retired banker. We talked about the half-million people who showed up for the labor and UKUncut march, and the banker tsk-tsked that it was a shame “some people” had to be violent and attack businesses.

I ventured a comment that things were so bad, nothing would change until the powers that be were actually scared. One of my friends smiled and said, “I have no problem with that.”

When corporations indiscriminately attack the workers, workers will defend themselves. Eventually we’ll even see it here, in the good old U.S. of A.

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Earlier that morning, the feeder marches, all condemned as unauthorised by the TUC made their way largely unhindered to greet the masses gathered at Embankment. A half-hearted attempt by cops to put a line across Westminster bridge in front of the Radical Workers block that had left from Kennington Park was shrugged aside.

The anarchist block split from the main march past Embankment Station, as a voice over a megaphone beckoned marchers to come with them for a sight-seeing tour around London. The break off bloc poured past Trafalgar Square, past the front of the TUC demo where hundreds of disenchanted activists decided to sack off the A to B marching exercise and join the black bloc. By the time the bloc had made its way through Covent Garden to Oxford Street it numbered several thousand.

Trudging along with the masses, other anarchists filtered through the crowd to UK Uncut’s pre-arranged meet up on Oxford St at 2pm. UK Uncut had called for occupations of corporate tax dodgers. The police tactic for the day was clearly the protection of known UK Uncut targets, with lines of police in front of branches of Boots, Vodaphone and Topshop. The cops even seemed willing to protect Topshop at the expense of more traditional anti-capitalist targets, with unfortified McDonalds and Starbucks getting done over anyway, showing that this was far from a single issue demo.

And that was where the fun really started – Topshop, one of UK Uncuts main targets was the first to get it and then, for over hour and a half a rag-tag black block, numbering around a thousand, ran cops ragged around Soho and Piccadilly Circus. Selected corporate targets were attacked with smoke flares, paint and street furniture. Banks bore the brunt of the anger with branches of HSBC, Santander and Lloyds getting the paint and broken glass treatment. The HSBC in Cambridge Circus got given some special attention. As ‘Smash the banks’ was daubed across the window, the crowd began to move on, until, bearing in mind the complete absence of Old Bill, people decided to take the advice. Windows were smashed and a green wheelie bin was used to batter open the doors. The inside of the bank was turned over before activists did a runner as the plod turned up. Watch the video here. The F.I.T team were chased off in Cambridge Circus. Even London’s Boris bikes scheme wasn’t ignored, with activists peeling off the Barclay’s stickers while leaving the machines intact. It might have been a touch violent but it wasn’t mindless.

At the Ann Summers shop, militant queer action emerged from the crowd, spray-painting Ann Summers shiny shop front of apparently taking a stand against “mainstream heteronormatively constructed sexuality”, and finally putting a bin right through the window.

Police coming into the area were harassed, with street signs and wheelie bins hurled under vehicles. Riot vans were liberally re-decorated. Some incredibly loud bangers or thunderflashes caused cops to flinch. Plumes of coloured smoke could be seen. Often groups of cops were rushing to protect targets that had been left by the fluid and swift-moving crowd. Uncontained, the block, waving red and black flags, moved along Piccadilly towards the Ritz. The chant went up – “The Ritz, the Ritz – we’re gonna get rid of the Ritz” as tables smashed through the windows.

The block then re-united with the main march, giving many a chance to de-mask and slip away. Nearing Hyde Park, no doubt fearing an outburst of sentimental centre left rhetoric, they split off back into Mayfair. Symbols of wealth, including a Porsche dealership and several overpriced sports car were done, along with a couple of shops selling overwhelmingly priced status antiques. Every corner turned in Mayfair showed just how much grotesque wealth is still out there waiting to be redistributed.

Meanwhile at 3.30pm on Oxford Circus , UK Uncuts pre-arranged meet up was underway. After converging demonstrators were slipped a card which told them which colour flag to follow, with the aim of separating into branches then joining forces for the occupation of the target.

The target – Fortnum&Mason, was well chosen, grocers to the Queen and corporate tax dodgers.

Unfortunately the sheer size of the protests meant the different crowds didn’t arrive simultaneously and there was a stand-off with protestors inside the building and police lines forming outside. A push and shove ensued but due to the pavement barriers not enough of the crowd could get behind the push and the cops remained unbudged, blockading the entrances. The two to three hundred protesters who were already inside, were left to soak up the atmosphere, and eyeing up bargains like the twenty quid jam and £65 napkin rings. Others took a more direct route and climbed up a street lamp onto the first floor.

Unfortunately here, as during the rest of the day, there seemed to be more people filming than actually getting involved in any action. Anyone who wanted to get stuck in had to push their way through a line of happy snappers first. Where does all this footage end up? – Think before you get yer zoom lens out kids, ‘cos careless shots cost lives. (Video here.)

The rest of the day was a mix of stand-offs and running skirmishes. The Peace horse was torched outside Oxford St tube. By this time the block was being pushed back onto Piccadilly circus as, freed of the obligation to police the TUC demo, that was safely in Hyde Park, more cops began arriving. Sealing off Fortnum and Masons they made numerous arrests.

A number of the crowd gathered in Trafalgar Sq, where some had suggested a 24 hr occupation. Described to SchNEWS by one eyewitness as “just a party, really”, the cops seized their opportunity to wade in. A kettle was put in place and despite a fight being put up the crowd was dispersed or arrested by 1 a.m.

According to Green&Black Cross legal support there have been over 200 arrests – and that’s just those who’ve contacted the help-line. Most are being bailed now (Sunday evening) many having had their clothes and phones seized. Interestingly, they are receiving bail conditions to stay away from central London on the day of the next TUC mobilisation 1st of May and on the 29th April, the date of Kate&Wills happy nuptials.

If you were arrested then there’s a Defendants’ meeting – Saturday 2nd April – 2pm – University of London Student Union, Malet Street, WC1E 7HY. Otherwise – See you on the streets!