Note about preparations for the March for the Alternative

[lexin]

I am up to my eyes in preparations for the March for the Alternative on Saturday. I spent all day doing union-type-things around personal cases, then signed off for the day. And then spent an hour putting leaflets on my colleagues' desks.

Weirdly, the very senior managers were very polite about taking a leaflet and asked me about it - what was it, when was it, what were our aims, etc, but some of my more junior colleagues were quite sniffy. On the other hand, I could hear discussions breaking out about it as I moved between desks, so leafleting did serve a purpose even if no extra people come along. A surprisingly large number of people said they were coming, so I was heartened by that - estimates of the numbers expected on Saturday range from 250,000 to 1m. Obviously, the more the better.

I'm going to start from the disabled persons starting point on St James's Street; I looked at the map of the route and realised quite quickly that I'm just not up to doing the whole march. It's huge! What were they thinking of?

Comments

Yes

[julianj2.livejournal.com]

I hope a lot of people actually come. People I know as friends are coming, civil servants and local govt officers I know professionally say they are coming, trade unionists, campaigners inc my dad are coming, so it looks good for a big one.

Probably won't see you on the day as I will be flitting between various groups I need to network with. I am bringing my nice new camera to get some pix in.

Re: Yes

[lexin.livejournal.com]

I doubt we'll meet, simply on the grounds that the crowd is going to be f-ing massive and I'm starting from the wrong end!

[gloria1.livejournal.com]

If I don't get an armband, I'll be cross!!!!

[lexin.livejournal.com]

I should have one somewhere that says, "Official picket". Will that do? We must decide where we're meeting and what route we're going to take.

[gloria1.livejournal.com]

Let's talk on Friday. I have dug out my thermos specially.

I just like the idea of an armband really, makes me feel like Rik on the Young Ones tbh.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

When I was still a left-winger (and young, and a lot fitter than I am today), I remember the first time I marched between Place de la République and Place de la Nation - a very classic demo itinerary in Paris - and thinking how ENDLESS it was. The reasoning, of course, is to accommodate the sheer numbers - you need the space, simple as that.

[lexin.livejournal.com]

Thermos. Good thought, especially as I gather it will be cold.

I may have flags, cunningly emblazoned with the legend "PCS".

[lexin.livejournal.com]

That will be why they've chosen a really long route starting at Embankment, ending at Hyde Park and going up a couple of unnecessary streets on the way.