Sussex commuters could be targeted by protesters (From The Argus)
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Sussex commuters could be targeted by protesters
2:08pm Sunday 29th March 2009 in News By Sam Thomson
Workers commuting from Sussex to London’s City offices are being warned by bosses not to wear suits in case anti-capitalist protests turn violent.
This week’s G20 meeting of world leaders is expected to be the target of large demonstrations against climate change and global capitalism.
The protests are expected to be the largest of their kind in London for ten years and follow mass riots in cities which have played host to similar summits.
One City of London worker who commutes from Sussex, but did not wish to be named, said: “We have been told not to turn up in suits in case we get targeted.”
Another bank worker said many were planning to stay at home over the next week.
He said: “People are kind of worried about it to be honest.
“We have been told, if you can work from home, work from home, and if you have to come in then don’t wear a suit and stay well clear of the protesters.”
Professor Chris Knight, a 1960s University of Sussex graduate dubbed “Mr Mayhem”, who is helping organise the protests, last week told newspapers he “strongly suggests bankers should stay away from the City” when the G20 Meltdown protests get under way.
He said: “If you're thinking of coming in, my advice is, don't.
“People are incandescent about your bonuses and the way you've destroyed their lives.
“We plan to lay siege to the financiers who have brought us into this recession and who continue to pursue policies that are destroying our planet.”
But Marina Pepper, the former chairwoman of Lewes District Council and ex-mayor of Telscombe, is one of the other organisers of the G20 Meltdown and a leading member of protest group Climate Rush.
She said normal people have nothing to fear from the demonstrators.
She said: “We will be sending out a message to the G20 world leaders that the system that has got us into this mess is broken and we do not see how they can use that same system to get us out of it.”
Ms Pepper believes the warnings over violent clashes have been over hyped, as have claims that many people working in the City are upset about the inconvenience the planned demonstration will cause.
She said: “Climate change is disruptive and so is the financial meltdown. I don't think many people will care if they are disrupted by our protest.
“Threats of violence have not come from us but from the police and the media. We are peace-loving individuals.”
Do you work in the City of London? Are you planning to head to work as usual on April 1? Or are you planning to join the protests in the capital? Tell us your stories at news@theargus.co.uk and send in your photographs to picture.desk@theargus.co.uk or via email to 80360 with the catchline SUPIC.
Comments(16)
billy74
says...
3:35pm Sun 29 Mar 09
John Rambo.
says...
4:13pm Sun 29 Mar 09
feline1
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4:22pm Sun 29 Mar 09
Osama bin there
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4:24pm Sun 29 Mar 09
I have never been in favour of direct protest in the past, and I'm certainly no hippy, but even I feel angry enough to hope that the greedy bankers and politicians get a metaphorical bloody nose.
Of course there will be the usual dreadlocked 'never worked and never will /smash EDO etc' brigade who I have absolutely no time for, but there will also be ordinary people as well.
That's the big difference. And that is what will worry the politicins.
Osama bin there
says...
4:25pm Sun 29 Mar 09
bibble
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4:29pm Sun 29 Mar 09
The protestors now include a growing proportion of ordinary people who have lost their jobs thanks to greedy bankers.
I, for one, will not condemn protests even if they turn violent. Parliament has let this country down, and there is no other avenue for dissent.
timm
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4:37pm Sun 29 Mar 09
Paul Skinnbach
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6:40pm Sun 29 Mar 09
Brap Brap wrote:i had a good chuckle about that.
self-righteous hippies. get a job.
What is the alternative to capitalism?
capitalism breeds endeavour and innovation, and until we reach the end of the technological era there will be no room for socialism
these morons are not going to change anything by annoying everyone - the world is doomed ultimately anyway, in one way or another, so just enjoy the fruits of free market economics while it lasts.
D*cks.
TheInsider
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7:50pm Sun 29 Mar 09
Unfortunately, all these protestors will do, is annoy hard working people who can't take a day off at the drop of a hat...nurses, teachers, bin men and who still have to get to work.
The rich folk who have taken our money will work from home or just take one of their 16 weeks annual leave.
I am pleased to see the former page 3 lady Marina Pepper is taking part and I hope she just wears her birthday suit.
rudechris
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8:10pm Sun 29 Mar 09
billy74
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9:15pm Sun 29 Mar 09
ItsstillBN3just
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9:41pm Sun 29 Mar 09
:-).....and I don't work in banking. Overheard a group of 'keen' Millwall fans on the Wembley Stadium to Marylebone train from the England game yesterday - who are attending to debate with the demonstrators - borrowing (no doubt from jailed Millwall pals - one careful owner for a recent court appearance), hiring or buying designer suits for the day - they were far more enthusiastic about the fun to be had opposing the demo than the totally dull England game
Txa
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10:10am Mon 30 Mar 09
Andy R
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10:29am Mon 30 Mar 09
So expect trouble to come from a small, hardcore group of "demonstrators" who none of the regular protesters seem to recognise, and who seem to have inordinately large feet......
Lord Bingham
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7:11pm Mon 30 Mar 09
Brap Brap says...
2:54pm Sun 29 Mar 09