According to television and internet news sources, peaceful protests began Saturday in London's Hyde Park to voice the people's wants to the leaders who will meet this week to try to figure out what the hell can be done to fix crumbling economies, international relations, and environmental concerns.
CNN and ITV.com reported that out of an estimated 35,000 protesters, one was arrested for public intoxication at Saturday's rally, which was hosted, in part by Tony Robinson. (Black Adder fans, yes, THAT Tony Robinson.) The London cops stayed close to the Black Block - the anarchists - a group they figured would cause problems, but did not. The World Wildlife Federation was there. Bananas for Justice was there. Activists for economic, environmental, and social justice were there. Many people showed up to point their fingers at the banking industry's greed, not just in the United States, but everywhere, as the cause of the current worldwide economic crisis. Seeing people from other countries demanding action on unemployment and the lack of job opportunities demonstrated that we in the States are not the only ones suffering loss of work and income.
I've taken part in anti-war protests, so I've had that experience of making a public statement and expressing myself with others for a reason. It's empowering and watching the G20 protesters, I wished I could have been there and be part of that awesome event Saturday. But what group to stand with? I could certainly stand with the pro-labor folks, but I also feel there is a need to bring world leaders' attention to environmental and wildlife concerns in the world. We need our leaders to pay attention to wars, genocide, and poverty as well.
So my question to each of you is:
What WORLD ISSUE do you feel strongly enough about to go out in the streets and join others in raising awareness? What group would you march with? Would you join an established group like Greenpeace or PETA, or would you start your own group?




Comments: 22
At 15 I was a member of CND - and marched on Holy Loch to protest the USA's nuclear missiles on submarines in the loch.
In recent years I have joined marches with my students in London, Glasgow and my home city of Edinburgh organised by the Stop the War coalition.
Now that peaceful protest has been degraded to youth group field trip I am looking for other avenues to make my opinion heard.
Marilyn
Without peace, and a world to practice it in...
We are done.
Next on the list: We can then turn our thoughts to economics and education.
First save the planet for goodness sakes...
Then, stop killing others.
Then, start educating folks.
Nuff said.
Good article,
Wilka
There's living and then there is living without those 3 important ideas you mentioned, Karl.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Many marches are joining later today - the Stop the War Coalition, the Anarchists, the anti-Bankers...
Checking out the news and seeing LOTS of black shirts! They're reporting London is locked down? Favorite sign so far "WE ARE F*CKED!"
I pinged you with a link to the red-painted (what other colour would they use?!) statue.