Protesters at the “Democracy Village” camp opposite the Houses of Parliament shouted antiwar slogans as Queen Elizabeth’s made her way to address the Members of Parliament on Tuesday. London, UK. 25 May 2010
Earlier police searched the camp ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. Anti-war campaigner Brian Haw, who has been living on the green since 2001, and another protester Barbara Tucker were charged with obstructing police following their arrest during the search.
The camp, a collection of tents and colourful banners dubbed Democracy Village, sprang up on the 1st of May and anti-war demonstrators, climate change activists, and anti capitalist protesters have been living there every since.
During the peaceful protest on Tuesday, participants played music and held banners calling for changes to Britain’s electoral system.
A camper know as Tracey, dressed up as a cabaret queen told onlookers “I’m the new Queen. Liz can ride her bike. I’ve got her a bike over there.”
One of the protesters, prepared a banner reading: “We respect the soldiers but we do not support the war”.
He was keen to emphasise the camps’ non-violent protest message, “People are naive about modern day war – it’s portrayed as clean but actually it has got dirtier. The weapons are more lethal and barbaric – wiping out human lives with the touch of a button”.
He went on to say that he is “not overly fussed about the theatrics” of other protesters – which today included an alternative, somewhat alcohol fuelled, Queen’s speech from the Square’s Tracey.
Tracey and her husband Tarquin are “the resident drunks” says Gareth, a land activist from Kew Bridge eco-village.
Gareth said the couple, alongside some activists such as the Election Meltdown group, are part of a minority who distract the public from the cause of the majority.
Some of the Democratic Village were annoyed when activists from the Election Meltdown group sent out a press release regarding their alternative speech, without consulting anyone.
Appealing against the demonstrators removal from the Square, Gareth said the protest was respectful and non-violent, adding: “It’s not exactly an easy ride – we’re living on a traffic island with the most horrific pollution”.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson is seeking legal action to remove the demonstrators camping in Parliament Square.