12:30pm Today I will be trying to update this blog as much as possible with information from UK Uncut’s Block The Bridge Block The Bill. Updates start from the bottom and new ones appear at the top.
Latest updates
Refresh to see the latest updates!
I apologise for the twitter error messages. They will eventually turn into embedded tweets when twitter finally allows my webserver to see them.
19:23 Video shot live throughout the day can be viewed here http://bambuser.com/channel/bc_tmh
More videos from Kate Belgrave can be seen on her website. http://www.katebelgrave.com/2011/10/save-the-nhs-ukuncut-action-westminster-bridge/
18:32 Police say that everyone in containment has been released.
http://twitter.com/#!/CO11MetPolice/statuses/123087532157177856
18:19
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/status/123082969106747392
18:13 Here is the report from Channel 4 news.
See 15:08 for the BBC report.
18:04
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/statuses/123081017597755393
17:57 Some video from about 1pm, taken by Kate Belgrave
http://twitter.com/#!/hangbitch/statuses/123078902968102913
17:55 Pictures from @bigmouthedwoman
http://twitter.com/#!/bigmouthedwoman/statuses/123078800442540032
http://twitter.com/#!/bigmouthedwoman/statuses/123078597761175553
17:50 “Police (…) were thanked for not hitting people.”
http://twitter.com/#!/HeardinLondon/status/123075949825761280
17:45 There was some confusion because there are protests on two bridges. There are still people on one of them.
17:42 Channel 4 news is reporting in depth on the protest and the Health and Social Care Bill.
17:37 Most people appear to be free to go now.
17:31 Updates from @HeardInLondon
http://twitter.com/#!/HeardinLondon/status/123069248204578816
http://twitter.com/#!/HeardinLondon/status/123072416451788800
17:25 Updates from @Marmite_
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/status/123070245073207296
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/status/123070479023091712
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/status/123071252217872384
17:18 Tim Hardy reports on the video that police will arrest remaining people under the public order act for breach of the peace, and that they will be searched. Met police announced that journalists should identify themselves to the police now. @bc_tmh telling the police arresting him that 168 people are watching them live.
http://twitter.com/#!/CO11MetPolice/status/123069745070219264
17:16 Some tweets from @marmite_ about people being held back.
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/status/123066828321865729
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/status/123067575952351232
http://twitter.com/#!/marmite_/status/123068211242598400
17:12 Message from UK Uncut: “We’ve had questions about the protest. To clarify: The protest is over and UK Uncut is leaving via the SOUTH side of Westminster bridge.”
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17:07 Met Police have kept back a group of people from leaving, and claimed that they are not associated with UK Uncut. Live stream camera man included. Some brief shouting as police told people to stop filming and some shouts that police were man-handling people with cameras. Keep watching the live stream here. http://bambuser.com/channel/bc_tmh/broadcast/2030568
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16:56 Reports via live stream that some people are being kettled by the police.
Met police claim some people “not associated with UK Uncut” are attempting to march.
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16:55 People blocked from leaving from Westminster end.
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16:54 Everyone leaving.
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16:53 There is a police helicopter over the protest now.
16:45
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16:37 Good article in the Guardian on why people are protesting to save the NHS. I remember a pre-NHS Britain. I don’t want to see a post-NHS one
16:33 @HeardinLondon reports that the bridge is being cleared now.
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16:32 “Big line of police & vans at parliament end of Westminster Bridge”
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16:30 ITV News has a video clip from the protest on their website.
16:26 Don’t forget, the point of Block The Bridge is to Block The Bill. Contact a Lord or three now and tell them you don’t want them to destroy the NHS. False Economy - NHS: 3 great ways to lobby the Lords
16:22 Protesting is a family event!
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16:18 More ugly rumours…
“Have been informed that police are only letting tourists on & off the bridge. ”
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16:15 Rumours of police movement too.
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16:11 Rumours that protesters are marching to Parliament Square.
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16:09 MP John McDonnell tweeted “Series of stand up comedians on Westminster Bridge entertaining and inspiring couple of thousand demonstrators.Inventive mobilisation.”
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15:57 “Private medicine is un-British”
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15:51 Police on the bridge (15 minutes ago.)
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15:50 Mark Thomas
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15:49 The Guardian has an article up now on the protests. Protesters against NHS reforms occupy Westminster Bridge
This Guardian article from yesterday shows that the government is worried that the NHS vote in the Lords might not go their way. It is worthwhile protesting. Ministers fear Lords will kill off NHS reforms
15:44 The Independent published this article on Block The Bridge earlier today. (Thanks to @Jon_S for the link.)
15:36 “You’re going home in a private ambulance”
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15:34 “The real stars of the show”
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15:32 Another gathering of news and pictures about block the bridge
15:29 Here’s a UK Uncut video from 26th September.
15:26 Comedy Block!
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15:17 “Westminster bridge most definitely blocked.”
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15:13 @Jon_S has been keeping an eye on news coverage and has reported on it for us. News coverage of #blockthebill: mid-afternoon summary
15:08 This report was shown on BBC News at 14:21. It’s the only coverage by the BBC so far.
15:06 Comedy on the bridge.
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15:04 BBC News channel is once again silent on Block the Bridge. However, there’s a great banner on the bridge right now.
14:53 The view from embankment
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14:51
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14:47 “People now breaking into group discussions…”
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14:34
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14:32
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14:29 “The Lancet says #BlockTheBill. The BMJ has been saying so for ages”
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14:22 BBC News is finally reporting on the protest. Video will appear here shortly.
14:12 Watch live at Bambuser - broadcast by Tim Hardy.
14:11 “The NHS saved me”
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14:06 Big banner ‘Save the NHS’ now flying across the bridge
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14:04 “Loads of riot vans on the front line.”
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13:50 “It’s safe to say this is successfully blocked bridge.”
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13:47 “People Before Profit”
13:45 “We love our hospitals”
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13:42 Still no sign of any mainstream news coverage.
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13:40 “The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it.” Nye Bevan
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13:34 After a rousing song protesters on the bridge are now shouting “We are the 99%!”
13:27
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A nice tweet from @HeardInLondon
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13:15 Actual reporters have been spotted!
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13:08 Picture of the banner, from Christ Coltrane
13:04 Everyone on the bridge lying down.
12:55 More photos
Message from UK Uncut:
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12:48 Lots of photos are appearing on twitter. Watch @HeardinLondon for the best pictures.
12:43 Tim Hardy (@bc_tmh) will be broadcasting live from the bridge. If this embedded clip doesn’t work, please check his website.
12:33 Some official messages from UK Uncut:
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Excellent set of videos from: http://bambuser.com/channel/cyclecast