Reclaim The Streets - Mayday 2000

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On approaching Whitehall at 2.30pm I had an inkling I was in the right place due to the rows and rows of police vans in the vicinity. This is Horseguards Avenue

Entering Whitehall itself was easy - I just walked past the vans and there I was. Immediately I was struck by the graffiti. This looks serious, I thought, while a big grim spread over my face. It's not everyday you see "Fuck The Police" in red paint in the heart of government.

It quickly became apparent that I had missed the initial activity and the centre of the action was going on at Trafalgar Square where the police had cordoned people in. I made my way in that direction.

What are all these people looking at?

Ah. Riot Police. This line was preventing people getting to Traf Square. Behind them was another line preventing people getting out of Traf Square. The protest had been split in two.

At this stage the police on my side were pretty relaxed and I was able to move right up to them and get this shot.

More people came down Whitehall to see what was going on at the Traf Square end. And they stood there in near silence.

Everybody's watching. Nothing's going on. Occasionally a big cheer goes up from Traf Square.

This road is normally full of traffic. Today it was full of people. I feel a bit weird every time I walk down Whitehall now, like the cars shouldn't be there.

Decided to make my way to the other end of Whitehall to see what was going on at Parliament Square. These people were going the other way.

The day had started with a Critical Mass bike ride and there were quite a few cyclists still milling about.