Who's already bored of the G20 summit? I don't think I'd mind if I lived out of London, but as it is, it's disruptive and tiresome to say the very least.
I've navigated my way through umpteen road closures and endless diversions, I've never seen so many police cars (the contents of which glare at you as you go by, thereby making you feel instantly guilty for not doing anything), I've seen shops, business and hotels boarded up in a panic, I've heard from friends who've been told to dress down so they don't look like business people and I'm seeing streets that are normally chock-a-block, completely empty of cars due to parking suspensions.
I don't even recognise the city I'm living in.
Isn't this all a bit over the top? I remember a similar anti-capitalist thing some years ago, when you'd get emails at work saying razor blades had been inserted underneath the handrails on tube escalators and people were hijacking buses and spraying CS gas, and if you opened the Evening Standard at page 23 a boxing glove popped out and bopped you on the nose. All untrue, especially the last one of course, but that sums up the ridiculous level of hysteria that was abounding at the time.
I don't think anything will happen at all. You might get the odd crusty or overgrown student throwing their weight around, but that'll be all.
People love a good drama, don't they. Of course. I'll eat my words if all goes tits up.
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I am currently in my office overlooking Moorgate tube station. I'll report back if anything actually happens (obviously nothing so far as none of them have got up yet).
A live blog! Keep it coming, Fourstar.
Well so far it is about 50 people and a big red fabric dragon. Quite a lot of straggly hair, two dogs on strings. More police and journos than protesters. Scary, not.
Just been watching the dual press conference. Obama is mightily impressive. Brown isn't.
While I was making my way in today (one of the few in a suit) - it really hit home how many people can be so mentally malleable. The majority of commuters (who still looked like City types, but doing 'office casual')have clearly been spooked by all the hype and huff 'n' puff - it really is ridiculous..
Fourstar I used to be on Finsbury Pavement (opposite Bloomberg), but am in Fenchurch St now - I'll let you know if there's any Anarchy in EC3
@Planet Mondo: Yes, they stand out more due to their hopeless casual dress sense. That said, most of them were advised by HR to dress down, and the City basically being an extension of a minor public school, they do what they're told.
Russell Brand has just turned up - I'll be off for a little light rioting at lunchtime, now.
Polite Riot - isn't that a Clash tune..
I was just watching a bit on the news, where everyone's penned in around the Royal Bank of Scotland and windows are being smashed, etc.
The reporter is asking people why they are they. Of course they don't know why they're there they just fancy a ruck with the police. Not doing themselves any favours at all.
If they start looting the computers that would be funny. They already own them, kind of.
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