Anti-Bush protesters create party atmosphere

AROUND 300 protesters demonstrated over US President George W Bush’s state visit last night, as colourful costumes and samba sounds created a party atmosphere in Britain’s capital.

A mock-up procession, complete with peace campaigners dressed as the Queen and Mr Bush, kicked off proceedings on London’s South Bank.

On a largely trouble-free day, with thousands of police including armed officers on duty, police said 29 people had been arrested.

But the sight of protesters jubilantly burning the American flag near Buckingham Palace underlined feelings of animosity toward Mr Bushthe President.

Scotland Yard confirmed up to 300 demonstrators remained in The Mall.

There were three arrests for criminal damage, five for possession of an offensive weapon, four for drunkenness and three for theft.

Police made a further arrest for drink-driving plus possession of an offensive weapon and drugs, while making two arrests over drugs, five for public order offences, one for assault and five for other offences.

Giving details about the arrests earlier today, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter said a man was found with a sword in his car.

Another man was arrested near the Victoria Memorial in St James’s Park on suspicion of theft and going equipped to steal.

Simon Pearson, 31, of Parnham House, Beaminster, Dorset, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court today charged with theft and going equipped.

Officers also found a ball-bearing gun while searching a vehicle at a police checkpoint in Regent’s Park yesterday evening.

The driver was arrested for being in possession of a firearm, but released after being cautioned for possession of cannabis.

Peace campaigners in a horse-drawn carriage headed a procession that also included a pink “love tank” and demonstrators dressed as weapons inspectors and Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Around 200 protesters gathered at Jubilee Gardens on London’s South Bank for the colourful parade that finished at Trafalgar Square.

At the back of the procession was one of the three London buses that travelled to Baghdad before the Iraq war taking a group of high-profile “human shields”.

Armed police were seen on street corners, and officers with binoculars were positioned on the roof of the Banqueting House.

Hundreds of police in fluorescent yellow jackets lined the road, and pedestrians were kept on the move behind crowd barriers.

Not everyone on the streets was in the anti-Bush camp though, with one placard saying: “I Love U George.”

As the demonstrators reached Trafalgar Square, the water in the fountain pools turned a blood red colour after dye was released into the water.

George Galloway, the MP recently expelled from the Labour Party, said: “Today’s demonstration is just an hors d’oeuvres.

“Tomorrow is the main course, and I think you all will be sated and filled by the main course that will be delivered up by the huge demonstration that is going to occur around here tomorrow.”

A samba band, bongo drums, and even a rap-music sound system attacking Mr President Bush all gave the protest a party flavour.

One of the few more troublesome moments, at around 4.50pm, saw police jumping over crowd barriers near the Palace. Objects were seen flying through the air, although it is not known what they were.

At least one protester was seen lying on the road surrounded by police, while another protester was hauled from the crowd and escorted away.