MARCH FOR FREE EXPRESSION

Trafalgar Square, London, 25 March 2006

These fine young ladies from South London were all too happy to support freedom of expression. And we were happy about that too.

Whilst Peter Tatchell speaks, a nervous policeman points to the crowd. Oh, the horror! Another Muhammad cartoon!!!

This is nice. A friendly, innocent and normal-looking lady appealing for the defence of free expression. How can one ignore this? These people are the good guys.

This man made no-one doubt about what he believed in. The National Gallery forms a nice backdrop for the picture.

A supporter of Denmark is waiting for some action. National flags were banned in the rally, and stewards quickly asked people to remove the flags when they were displayed. More about this later.

I really loved this guy's glasses. And I'm sure all Danes would salute him too.

The National Secular Society show their support.

Mr Cool Glasses again. This time, with some cool placards too ... and the first ones I witnessed who had the Danish cartoons displayed.

Some more Danish flags. The press gathered around to take pictures very quickly... and so did the stewards, who promptly requested the flags be taken down.

From all angles ...

After having been told to take the flags down, an agreement was reached that they may be wrapped around the body... and this is exactly what this lady did. It was perhaps preferable to using it as a headscarf, as someone suggested ...

Another nice picture of someone friendly. Makes such a difference from the angry Islamic rallies we have to endure ...

I love this placard: "Carlsberg don't do freedom of speech rallies, but if they did ... "   *LOL*

A great capture, with the "DANES ARE FREE PEOPLE" in the middle.

Again, a smile. :)

The police keep a watchful eye in the background. They seem to photograph every person carrying a banner. But I did not see a single offensive banner in the rally.

This man from the Communist Youth Organisation made loud declarations against militant and intolerant Islam, and so grabbed the attention of everyone. His Danish cartoons, as can be seen in the pics, made him extra controversial.

Peter Tatchell being interviewed.

Tatchell up close. See the rainbow flag on his jacket, symbolizing the gay community.

Organiser Peter Risdon of the official website.

Maryam Namazie speaks. And boy, does she speak!! She doesn't hold back, and inspires the whole crowd to loud cheers. Maryam's full speech can be found here, and a video clip (poor quality) of the speech can be downloaded here (60MB).

See the guy to the right of Maryam... he is pointing out something in the crowd to the police. I believe he may be the complainer that the police was talking about in the BBC article!

"Police said there had been no arrests but officers did receive a complaint about the message on one protester's placard.
 A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said officers spoke to the man and he was later allowed to rejoin the demonstration.
"The complainant stated they felt threatened by a placard they believed depicted the Prophet Muhammad," she said.
"Details of the complaint, together with evidence gathered by police are to be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service."

A sea of placards, bomb-shaped turban-wearing Muhammad included ...

Tatchell in front of the National Gallery.

Keith Porteous Wood of the National Secular Society (left), Peter Tatchell and Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris (right).

Dr Evan Harris MP, the most high-profile politician at the rally, delivers his speech.

Big Ben in background.

A steward asks a man with an American flag to put it away ...

He decides to comply ... and wraps it up.

Al-Jazeera interviews Mr Risdon.

Someone taking a picture of someone taking a picture ... of someone taking a picture.  :)

Man ... with that huge professional-looking camera I am sure you could take award-winning pictures ... even in the gloomy London weather. I was jealous.

Another commie not ashamed to support freedom of expression.

... and then it rained on the parade.

The bloggers were there too ...

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