Today, I bore witness again to an incredible, massive show of peace and unity, following Pride that was held last week. Organisers estimate that 50,000 people marched to Parliament Square in the anti-Brexit, pro-EU protest, which was also meant to be a show of solidarity for Europe, Europeans, and other immigrants in the UK. There was a real sense of a shared identity among the British and (as) Europeans, Europeans with (as) the British, and a warm welcome for other globals like myself, as Londoners. Viva diversity!
© 2012-2021 Jacqueline Lau
Posts Tagged ‘protests’
I had to give the whole storming and raiding ruckus in the West End a miss, but managed to pass through Piccadilly Circus in the evening where I came upon members of the StopG8 group packing up the party.
After a series of peaceful demonstrations for preserving a recreational area in Istanbul… … Turkish police attacked the protesters violently with tear gas and water cannon, directly targeting their faces and bodies… … Turkish media, directly controlled by the government or have business and political ties with it, refuse to cover the incidents. Press agencies have also blocked the information flow. Please share this message for the world to become aware of the police state created by AKP of Recep Tayyip Erdogan [the Turkish Prime Minister]… — Leaftlet handed out at the Turkish protest in London A sizeable gathering of…
How it all began In 2006, a photographer friend asked me along to the ‘No More Fallujahs’ peace camp at Parliament Square, where anti-war campaigners were demanding an end to the UK/US military occupation of Iraq. It sounded exciting. It was all new ground to me, photographically and otherwise. I was tempted, but hesitant. Coming from a country that has near-zero tolerance for dissent, and where a gathering of more than five persons could potentially be considered an illegal assembly, my nervousness then was understandable: But we’re not the press! Is it okay? Will we get into trouble? Will it…
George Orwell’s 1984 leads to V for Vendetta leads to a bunch of Guy Fawkes-masked activists marching on the Houses of Parliament from Trafalgar Square this 5th of November. Lots of discontent, it seems, about the government’s failure to serve its people, the dismal state of the economy and the environment. Also something about the wars, social service, education, and a lot about Cameron; it’s everything rolled into one. “We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.” Possibly my most challenging reportage coverage yet – a nighttime protest! Again I set out…
“You cannot pass through here.” One of the stewards stepped to the side and blocked my way, “You have to go round the other side.” “But I’m not passing through,” I told him. “I’m here to cover the event.” A moment later, I was receiving a briefing from their media person, and then let loose into the crowd. Finally, after having photographed quite a number of protests and demonstrations, I was at ease in such situations. No fear, no hesitation, no waffling. Just gear up and shoot. Although I was not a bona fide photojournalist nor did I have any…