Photo Bloggage by Tanya

Free Burma Protest, London

October 6, 2007

By now I’m sure most people are aware of the situation in Burma, at least in relation to the on-going protests for democracy. Here in London there have been mini-protests all week such as this one outside TOTAL Oil’s offices, due to their involvement with the military junta in Burma.

The police were present including one with the huge camera that usually makes an appearance at larger protests. The other policeman was taking notes. I’m not quite sure what the point of that was; I could hardly foresee any trouble at a protest involving a couple of well-behaved demonstrators!

Today marked the biggest Burma protest in London with over 10,000 people taking to the streets in support of the Burmese. Ironically, I didn’t see any policemen with cameras.. hm.

Red ribbons had been handed out at the start to be tied around the head.

I always find it amusing how others take pictures. I’m sure his composition was great

The protest was tame and fairly calm until it arrived on Westminster Bridge, where there was suddenly a frenzy of photographers and camera crews rushing to get pictures of the monks.

This is the first protest I’ve been to where there’s been such a mad rush of photographers shoving each other to get pictures. It was quite remarkable. I don’t really have a picture that conveys just how many photographers were present, simply because I’d already been elbowed, shoved, and trodden on, and damn, if a photographer wants a picture, they’ll do whatever they can to get it.

At one point I was pushed 3 times by a female photographer trying to get a picture of a placard. I ignored her and carried on walking assuming she was simply, well, attempting to get a shot that she deemed important. On the 4th shove which made me stumble, I asked her what she was doing. She asked me if I was a press photographer, and when I said no, her response was ‘well then move out of the way’. Excuse me miss, but this is a public place and I can stand where I want. If I’m in your way, say so, don’t push me repeatedly! I wasn’t deliberately trying to block her – the person holding the placard just happened to be walking adjacent to me. No one appreciates being pushed to the point of almost falling over. Jeez.

I walked past her later where I took a picture of her (yes, it’s out of focus). She asked me what my problem was and I told her that courtesy goes a long way. I don’t expect people to ask me politely in the heat of the moment to move, but her attitude was way out of line. She told me ‘too many tourists’ get in the way. I suppose since my wages don’t depend on taking pictures, I can’t really relate to her. I bumped into a lot of photographers, all of whom had no problem, and who simply smiled, or apologised, or asked me to move. To push someone 4 times to get a picture of a placard seems a tad extreme. I asked her who she works for – The Sunday Times apparently. I wonder if any of her pictures will be in the paper tomorrow.

Brian Haw watched as the protest passed by him.

I saw a few of the monks break away from the main group so I followed them across the road to Downing Street.

They tied ribbons to the gate.

Again, a mass of photographers followed.

All I could capture was the shot above, but I was literally surrounded by a group of them a few rows deep. It made me wonder if any of them would get a unique shot.

The monks returned back to the protest which was nearing Trafalgar Square.

It’s Richard!

The monks gave a speech..

..as did Glenys Kinnock.

I thought the shot below was cute. I gestured to the one on the right to pass me his cam so I’d take a picture of him on the stage, but I don’t think he understood. That, or my gesturing skills are rubbish. I’d say the latter.

He simply giggled when he saw me take a picture of him.

I’m not sure why I like the shot below, but I do. I’ve previously taken a picture at that exact spot.

So, that’s it. I love taking pictures at protests, but don’t really enjoy the pushing and shoving aspect to get those pictures. I guess it doesn’t help that I’m relatively small compared to the other photographers with their numerous SLRs each with massive lenses. It’s a health hazard I tells ya!

It’s great there was a large turnout for this protest. Hopefully it will count towards changing the future of Burma for the better.