Police violence mars peaceful street party

Over 300 people took to the streets as part of the second Leeds "Reclaim the Streets" action, last Saturday. For 4 hours Albion Street, off the Headrow, was awash with colour and sound as young and old danced to the sound systems and kids played on the bouncy castle. This, however, was in complete contrast to the frightening scenes of police violence that had preceded the event.

The typically low-key advertising for Reclaim the Streets actions had none the less brought several hundred into Leeds City Square assembly point at 1 pm. It was immediately apparent that the police were fully intent on preventing any repeat of the last years RTS when the city centre had been brought to a standstill. Extra officers had been bussed in from as far as Keighley.

In small groups the revellers began moving off in different directions, keeping the police guessing as to the chosen location for the action. 30 minutes later all was revealed as the disparate groups converged on Waterstones bookshop on Albion St. The mood of celebration and high-spirited determination however was quickly threatened by the behaviour of the outwitted police. As a white van appeared carrying the sound system and the infamous RTS tripods, the police moved in in force. Batons and CS gas were used indiscriminately against men and women alike and as the van was unloaded scuffles broke out as the police tried to confiscate equipment. As protesters mounted the tall tripods, police knocked them to the ground. 12 arrests were made, including the van driver.

The crowd refused to disperse and after a lengthy stand off the police withdrew to the end of Albion street.

Someone scaled a shop front and soon a huge "Reclaimed" banner was unfurled. The sound system was set up, the bouncy castle inflated and in no time at all the crowd, swelled to several hundred as passers-by joined in, were enjoying a full-on street party.

After 4 hours of literally "reclaiming the street" the party wound up. After police returned the van keys (though not the driver) the 400 strong crowd marched up to Hyde Park in a final display of collective strength and defiance.

Of those arrested, all but one were released without charge.

Update: Reports from around the world: http://www.hrc.wmin.ac.uk/campaigns/RTS/global3.htm

See the "Reclaim the Streets" web site.