THEY WERE to wage war on capitalism and, at least for the day, they defeated it. Britain’s most famous shopping street, a bastion of global capitalism, pulled down the shutters and shrank in the face of an anticipated fury that never fully materialised.
The Independent - Wednesday 2nd May.
Let's face it May Day 2001 was never going to go 100% to plan. The state planned an all out attack to depress and suppress those taking part AND to drive a wedge between the anti-capitalist mood and mainstream public opinion.
Politicians ranted on TV and radio. Over 100 negative articles appeared in newspapers before the day mostly filled with fantasy and outright lies. Then they played their trump card. The corrupt Mayor of London ran a full page ad in London newspapers begging people not to attend. Scare stories issued by the police attempted instill fear with talk of ‘Zero Tolerance’ and the possible use of plastic bullets. This "Get tough" approach was applauded by the government giving the impression that the police could do whatever they liked with impunity.
On the day peaceful marches were stopped and those participating were treated like animals, penned in sometimes up to 7 hours in the rain with no food, shelter or toilets. When finally let out some were arrested for spurious reasons like suspicion of possession of cannabis. The rest were humiliated, and treated like criminals. They had to give their names and addresses, were searched and have their photograph taken. If they refused they too would be locked up. Some people were beaten and the police resorted to chemical weapons in some places.
In short the state went all out to crush the day and deter similar future days of action from taking place.
Taken in this context London’s May Day 2001 can only be judged as a huge success. Here's why:
May Day was turned into be a holiday for 1000's of workers as much of London businesses were shut down.
A huge autonomous zone was created just outside the police's ‘Pig Pens’. Oxford Street was open only for bicycles while the West End was virtually traffic free. One old local woman, who usually wouldn't venture out because she suffered from panic attacks induced by traffic and too many people, came out, wandered round and thanked protestors for bringing calm to her area.
Police lost control of the situation. Had people wanted to there could have been a huge riot. In Oxford Circus the police had encircled the protesters. But outside protesters had encircled the police. The police were sandwiched between angry, trapped protesters on one side and those who'd like to free them on the other. Although the police repeatedly ordered people to leave the area no one took any notice.
To those stuck in the ‘pig pens’ and not feeling empowered there’s another way to look at it. You actually did a great job. You tied up most of the police as well as sitting on one of London’s major intersections for most of the day.
In spite of the massive media campaign to discredit the day and scare people away, despite Red Ken's full page ads begging people not to go, despite cold and rain, thousands of people still came. As corporate media's ability to control people weakens people’s resolve to take action is strengthening.
And in spite of the state and media efforts to alienate protestors lots of ordinary people still supported us. People waved from balconies, and cheered and clapped on the streets. Even folks in posh restaurants were seen waving and smiling as protesters went past.
...which on this particular day was almost certainly a good thing. The media were desperate for things to kick off after their hysterical build up before. But because they had to report something a vacuum was created which meant that...
...if only slightly more than on previous mass actions. Now some of the issues are starting to be discussed. Actions elsewhere in the country and the globe actually got reported this time.
This proved that we are not dependent on only one group to organise action against the state. It empowered others organise. It may have prevented the state from using the terrorism bill to ban RtS which was threatened after last year’s action.
One day we'll all be organisers and governments will be transcended.
...as did the idea of hierarchy. Red Ken has become a blatant and contemporary example of the saying: “Power Corrupts...”
1.2 million for policing and £20 million in lost profits for companies like Nike, McDonald's and Gap (One person spotted 5 Gap shops boarded up.)
This can be seen as a positive effect of last year's May Day property damage but was probably more down to the media hysteria before the event. Who says the corporate media always works against us?
After last year some people were wondering “where next?” with mass actions. This bold, and successful day has opened up possibilities and inspiration for future action.
Inspiring, courageous, effective, non-violent action that highlighted the violence of the state and contradicted the corporate media’s hype about violent protestors.
Other stars were the Samba band and really everyone who showed up at this event - determined, defiant and ungovernable.
The police and government are claiming a huge success. They claim that by boxing people in for hours they stopped a riot. But a few smashed up shops is not the issue here. Capitalism can weather millions of pounds in property damage fairly easily. The real issue is, who is in control, us or them? May Day gave glimpse that, even when our numbers are few, with courage and determination we can control our own lives.
Did the police action prevent a mass riot? No one can say for sure - which leaves the state in a dilemma. How does it deal with future actions? Either they use the same policy of surrounding people and taking away the right to protest - and after this year people will be far more aware of getting caught in one of these “pig pens”. Or they’ll use less Draconian measures and risk a riot.
Perhaps they’re already trying to think up even more new repressive legislation. But May Day 2001 came after the new terrorism bill and, like elsewhere in the world, people don't seem to be taking much notice of laws any more.
