london diary

 

 Police escorted the march more closely was we got nearer to the site

 The gate to the Dale Farm site with its scaffolding

 For a while the press were not allowed to enter the site as one of the protesters who had been filming the protest
objected to us coming on site,  and threatened to abandon her support for the campaign if we were allowed to
come and film and photograph.

The residents wanted us there (and had personally invited many of the press) and eventually we were allowed
to enter.

 East of England Euro MP Richard Howitt speaking during a heavy rain shower

 The UN flag flying behind RIchard Howitt MEP as the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
had the previous week issued a statement supporting Dale Farm and asking Basildon Council not to evict the residents.

 

Secretary of the Roma Federation Grattan Puxon 

 

Residents and protesters listen to the speeches on the Dale Farm site 

Kika Markham, widow of Corinne Redgrave who had given a great deal of support to Dale Farm 

A Dale Farm resident raises her fist in support of the speaker 

'Land & Home 4 every one not just the few. hands off Dale Farm' 

I had a pleasant walk along empty lanes and a public footpath
to the main road and a bus back to Wickford Station.