Protests in London
 

Hello, I've read on a few threads about protests in London that led to some looting, tour buses being re-routed and the like. I will be in London for the first time, with my mother and sister, April 10th-15th. While my mother and I are thrilled about this trip, my sister is quite nervous about protests and the possiblity that tourist attractions may be closed due to security threats. She is especially worried about the location of our hotel, the Le Meridien Grosvenor House, which is on Park Lane adjacent to the US Embassy. Can anyone comment on what the current situation is? Is there any way of finding out when and where protests are planned in advance?<BR><BR>Thanks very much!

You'll be fine. Protestors in London aren't violent for the most part. You probably will see more protestors if you come visit me - I'm in DC, and walk past protestors nearly every day. <BR><BR>As far as I know, nothing in London has been closed for security reasons, but you could check the Times website: www.timesonline.co.uk.<BR><BR>Have fun, enjoy England, and tell you sister that if we live our lives in fear, we are letting the bad guys win!<BR><BR>Karen

Hi,<BR> Except, perhaps, for Buckingham Palace, what place in London is more secure than the area around the US Embassy?

Just back from a week in London.<BR><BR>We did not see any large protests, certainly no looting, no tour buses re-routed, no attractions closed, etc.<BR><BR>Across from Parliament, there is a small park with many anti-war signs, but no more than 20 people or so. And this was with stunning weather.<BR><BR>We stayed in Mayfair near Park Lane and never encountered any problems whatsoever. When we went by the U.S. Embassy, we saw only a few police outside. No protesters. The biggest problem with the U.S. Embassy is that it is ugly as sin.<BR><BR>In fact, the only irriation we had was with some aggressive animal rights folks near the Tower of London.

We were in London a year ago and our tour bus went right through the middle of a very vocal Palestinian anti-Israel protest. In spite of the vehemence that put your heart in your throat, the protesters were not violent and the experience did not detract from our trip at all. In fact, it was good for our kids to see that some people actually take politics seriously. <BR>The US embassy has a great gift shop, if you can somehow get access to it. <BR><BR>I think the big fear is going to a different place. There have been protests in so many American cities, yet we are not afraid of them. The media hypes it up, going to the scene of the protest, but life goes on as usual for everyone else. <BR><BR>London is full of wonderful attractions and the people are friendly. Instead of worrying about the protests, start reading up on all the interesting things to do there and figure out how to cram the most in!

Thanks to everyone who has replied. We are travelling from Canada. It's funny - I live in the city, my mom in the suburbs and my sister in a rural area - my mom and I are not at all nervous about the trip but my sister truly is. I've tried to encourage her to go on to this site and see what other are saying aobut international travel, as I think it would be a good idea for her to get a wider perspective on things. Though it would mean losing money she is going to have to decide for herself if she can make the trip - I am hoping she will. <BR><BR><BR>P.S. Ira - good point about security around the Embassy. Before telling my sister about it I considered telling her that the big building with the American flags near the hotel is Madaonna's house! <BR>

Any protestors you come across are pacifists.<BR>I heard that some places may close if necessary but don't worry there are huge amounts of security in London that you will never notice, and loads that you will.<BR>You will be ok<BR>Enjoy<BR>Muck<BR>Muck

Hi<BR><BR>there is a significant difference here ?<BR><BR>Anti war protests in UK are reported.<BR><BR>Not always the case in some countries ?<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com/<BR>

A year or so ago in the Trafalgar Square area, we passed through a large group of Iranian expatriates who were caring banners saying, “Sadaam must go NOW!” and, yes, it got a tad bit out of hand. Rest assured that London’s finest were all over it, quickly, quietly, and efficiently. <BR><BR>Don’t let the press scare you to death; it is after all what they’re best at. If you find that a major protest is scheduled near where you planned to be on a particular day, change your plans. Spend the day in Richmond, Bath, Windsor, or wherever. You have myriad choices.<BR>

For Mucky: Any protestors you see are pacifists or non-pacifists. They oppose this war.<BR>For all: The protests have little effect for passers by.<BR><BR><BR>[email protected]

Sorry Ben Hains you have lost me.

Your hotel, on Park Lane, is a couple of blocks away from Grosvenor Square where the US Embassy is located, so any protests around the embassy are unlikely to affect you.<BR><BR>Protests, by the way, are a venerable tradition in London. Until the peace march last February, the largest ever protest march in London was by people who oppose the abolition of fox hunting. For the most part, protests cause some traffic congestion for a few hours, but apart from that, life goes on as normal.<BR><BR>I couldn't quite understand ben_haines' comments either - EVERYONE is either a pacifist or a non-pacifist, but I suspect the protesters are mostly pacifists, peaceful by definition. Although I live in England, I haven't heard any reports of looting by the protesters - maybe a little opportunistic shoplifting?<BR><BR>In a nutshell, there is absolutely no reason why you should cancel your trip to London.

There have been protests and there will probably be more, and poiltics aside they are a bloody nuisance if you want to get around. So far they have been peaceful, there is no reason to suspect that this will change<BR><BR>However the area you are in is not a site of protest activity. Parliament Square, Embankment and Hyde Park are the venues of choice.<BR><BR>You can't get near the US embassy in Grovesnor Square, it is surrounded by security - US and British.

&gt;Sorry Ben Hains you have lost me.<BR><BR>I think that he is saying that you don't have to be a pacifist to be opposed to this particular war. A pacifist is opposed to all war.<BR>

I'm a Canadian living in London. First of all, Park Lane is not adjacent to the embassy. It is a couple of blocks away (and the Canadian embassy is on the same square!). What is better though is that Hyde Park is just across the street. As was already mentioned, you can't get near the embassy. London is the most heavily surveillanced city in the world - a legacy of IRA activity. There are cameras everywhere -you are watched the minute you step off the plane at Heathrow. This is not to make you paranoid - only to indicate that London security is well advanced and that was pre-9/11. London is a completely safe city. The protest of last month was an entirely peaceful affair. I have not heard of any looting (although I can tell you that looting occurred in Montreal the last time the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup!). This is one of the safest cities I know. The thing you need to worry about is pickpockets!! You will have a fantastic time and you have picked a lovely time to come. Yes, London is quieter but that is only a GOOD thing in my books. Enjoy London - you won't regret it! btw, do try and take a boat trip from Westminster Pier to Greenwich. I have done it with various visitors about 5 times and never tire of it (General Wolfe is buried there - a little bit of signficant Canadian history is there!!!)

For Mucky and Heimdall: Sorry. My meaning was that some of the protestors are ex servicemen and others who are not pacifists, and oppose this war on policy grounds. Other protestors are indeed pacifists. Which group is larger I do not know.<BR><BR>ben-haines-london<BR>

At the rate this war is going, it may all be over by the time you reach London.