Weddings, African protests and Bar-Mitzvahs

Yesterday (Sat 1st) was my first day back covering protests since the Portuguese lies were once again levelled against me.  Photographing weddings is ok and very good for the bank balance but lacks the adrenalin rush of  some protests.  I had decided that I couldn't hide away for ever and it was time to get back in the saddle.  It was the anniversary of Congolese independence and a march was planned from the embassy in Little Portland St down to Downing St.

The Congolese have form when it comes to violent protests so I expected a busy day with some good shots.  It was not to be.  As the  march departure time approached I counted a total of 26 protesters.  There was a big police presence - rightly so, as Ive already said they have form for being violent.  The 26 protesters were treated to the normal police escort and rolling road block down Regent St, Haymarket, Pall Mall and Whitehall, all of which had one lane closed to traffic to facilitate them.  The Apple Store on Regent St ( a target for violence on previous marches) was guarded by a line of cops.  Shoppers looked on wondering why such a small group had so many police in attendance.  Without a hint of exageration I can confirm that there were more police than protesters.

The group arrived at Downing St and were led in the protest pen at Richmond Terrace.

The police operation must have cost a fortune.  The police can't be blamed for having a large operation in place, no doubt the organisers of the march told the cops there would be thousands attending.  I think the time has come when organisers of such events should be  required to contribute towards the cost of policing.  Perhaps by way of a deposit which is non-returnable if the march falls flat on its arse, or there are public order issues.

When the congolese arrived in Whitehall there was already a fairly large contingent of Sudanese protesters there.  After an hour or so the Sudanese decided to leave the protest pen and march to their embassy opposite the back of St James' Palace.  Arriving at the embassy, there was a strong smell of burning in the air.  On the doorstep of the embassy was the remains of a large rubbish bag which had been set alight, seemingly just before the arrival of the march.  The area was cordoned off presumably awaiting the arrival of the forensics team.

Doorway of Sudanese Embassy

The protest continued for an hour and a bit, before they began to drift away.  There was no trouble, nor any signs of it brewing.  Thing is, how can someone be allowed to set a fire just spitting distance from a royal residence?  The area is well covered by CCTV so hopefully they will be caught.

On the way from Whitehall to the embassy I noticed some heavy duty lighting kit and some stage equipment being taken into one of the big buildings on Pall Mall.  One of my friends had been photographing the filming of the next series of Downton Abbey which was being shot in several secret locations on London.  The building was similar to those already being used in the filming so I decided to plot up at the junction across from it and see what was going on.

There was lots of coming and going but no-one from the cast.  Still I waited, standing on a street corner in Pall Mall like some bald, overweight rent boy.  I toyed with idea of approaching the doorman who by now had noticed me and must have wondered what I was up to.  He looked none too happy to see me so I decided against it.

My mate who had been shooting the filming all day rang to say he was on his way down.  Several mercedes people carriers with blacked out windows (vehicle of choice for film set transportation) began to arrive and disgorge some very well dressed people.  Although non of them were in period costume there was clearly something going on.  The plot thickens!

Enter my mate Ian.  Never being known as a shrinking violet, he marches straight up to the grumpy looking doorman and asks what is going on.  Turns out it was a bar-mizvah for some posh kid.  The production company vans, the lighting, props etc I had seen being taken in were for the themed party.  What a waste of time.

All in all the day was crap.  But, it was my first day back and I was pleased to have got back into the swing of things.

Now that the dust has settled a wee bit ref Portugal, I am now in the early stages of arranging a claim for wrongful arrest and imprisonment amongst other things.  Work on the book has now began in ernest!