2021-07-20
Yesterday was "Freedom Day" and marked by a demonstration in Parliament Square where many congregated to show their peaceful support for removal of the restrictions, and to generally show their complete dissatisfaction with the way that the Government has been attempting to manage the "pandemic".
Whist I was there it was perfectly peaceful, although there were some who wanted everybody into the road to block the traffic. They were mostly ignored, although the police had closed the roads around the square anyway.
This is my first attempt to capture a video - it's a bit unprofessional (maybe camera and banner on a single pole isn't ideal) but I think it gives a good over-view:
It seems however that things became a bit more heated later on when the police decided to make arrests. I'm guessing that that was after I left to catch the train home.
I'm not sure that the police methods for bundling this gentleman into the van were entirely appropriate, there must be a better way. The behaviour of some within the crowd was pretty shocking in this video - but the police line was disciplined even if the van loading process wasn't. Make of this what you will:
