road protests 1997   |   road protests (current)   |   movement links


from SchNEWS - Iss 142, 7th Nov 97

Reclaim the Streets

A Worldwide Reclaim The Streets (RTS) linkup on November 1st saw 3 parties go off (as simultaneously as differing time-zones would allow) in Oxford, Sydney and Berlin. After escorting Rinky Dink soundsystem out of the county, impounding Sparky the solar rig under section 63 of the Criminal Justice Act., Oxford cops graciously offered potential revellers a back street to party on, but, the crowd seized Cowley Road instead. A sound system got in amid a police charge, and the party was on- hard house, techno and a few bands too, with pensioners, crusties and shopkeepers all joining in the fun which finished at 7pm with a big litter-pick, leaving only police horse-shit to foul the street. Meanwhile, the first RTS down under was a total success: nearly 3000 people blockaded Sydney's Enmore Rd, a sound system was wheeled in in a metallic tower like Mediaeval siege equipment, and a permaculture garden was constructed in the middle of the street. RTS are keen to establish a working group to ensure the road is regularly closed down for parties, no doubt to the annoyance of the local petrol station owner who decided the whole demo was directed at him personally! And Berlin? We're still waiting to hear from `em!


road protests 1997   |   road protests (current)   |   movement links