So it seems Boots was closed in Oxford Street, along with Dorothy Perkins. And there was a mass sit-down protest outside Top Shop. Today was December 4th…. a day of action against tax cheats! Great atmosphere, vibrant, lively, loud, dynamic with young people leading the struggle.
Also engaging with people walking past the store, some pausing to watch the protest. A group of women stopped and asked what was happening. I told her Philip Green is a tax dodger. That made her angry (“I pay my taxes…Why can’t he”? ..Precisely!) and asked what other shops are involved in this tax dodge. Once explaining to people why we were protesting some were pissed some didn’t want to know and saw the protest as an inconvenience stopping them from shopping at Top Shop.
Sgt Smellie
Before I forget, saw Sgt Smellie standing by Top Shop with a FIT officer. I couldn’t get a pic of Smellie standing with the other cops but got one of him. He then wandered off with FIT officer to Regent Street.
Later in the day I attended the UCL occupation, big shout out to Laurie Penny (who I saw as well at Oxford Street), Simon, Carl and the whole occupation. They have lots of discussions, pretty amazing as it seemed like one big political consciousness raising session. Certainly, the session on the cuts to legal aid and civil liberties was very interesting and useful.
I would really recommend that people should visit and/or send emails of support and solidarity to the occupations. These young people are leading the way, a new generation of resistance …..
The picture below is of students from other universities who came to visit UCL occupation.
