Police prepare for May Day protests
The Metropolitan Police has been drafted in extra officers into the capital ahead of the May Day demonstration, amid rumours that anarchist groups intent on rioting may disrupt businesses and deface buildings.
The generally peaceful international workers’ day protest on May 1 has been marred in recent years by sporadic acts of violence and vandalism and police are working flat out to foil a repetition. About 4,000 officers will be on duty.
Around 60 firms in London, on a so-called internet ‘Hit List’ compiled by extreme leftist groups, could be potential targets for vandals. Defence companies such as Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems are on the list.
Leisure clothing firm Nike as well the BBC are also on the list. The list is published on http://www.ourmayday.org.uk.
The London Mayday Collective is organising a demonstration at the offices of Lockheed Martin, a US arms firm, and also at Shell.
Loosely affiliated May Day events organizers in London have the catchy and topical banner to work under – ‘Mayday 2003 Weapons of Mass Construction – Our Day.’
May Day events will also take place in major British cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
There were 54 arrests in 2002, generally for disturbance of the peace.
Guy Taylor, spokesman for the anti-capitalism campaign group Globalise Resistance, said the threat of rioting was minimal: ‘There has been a hysteria, it is a media myth. I don’t think there is anyone bent on trouble. There will only be trouble from people wearing blue uniforms.’
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter said the Metropolitan Police was well prepared to deal with over-zealous protestors.
‘Key to keeping London running smoothly will be our mobile teams of officers who can respond to incidents and spontaneous demonstrations.
‘We have increased our existing operation to approximately 4,000 officers to help us keep London and Londoners safe and disruption to a minimum.’
In 2001, police deployed the controversial tactic of ring-fencing about 5,000 protestors in Oxford Circus for eight hours, effectively ending a planned procession.
