So, just on the way back from a trip into Central London today, and it was a very satisfying afternoon.

Had a matinee show booked, so had to go in. Waterloo is most convenient station for us and short walk to the theatre from there (normally).

But today we alighted from the train to a crowd of flagshaggers. Got out of the station, and realised the pickle we were in: crossing the road to get to the bridge meant going through the march of flaggies -.I was game to try it (theatre tickets were not cheap), but partner was saying no way, it is an invitation to get punched or worse (we're mixed skin hues), and we should go back.

Just as we turned around, I had what can only be termed an inspiration: masterfully took her hand in mine and walked towards the march. But just as they were starting to turn their heads and look at us, dit a swift u-turn into the stairway leading down to iMax. Walked along there and went up the tunnel leading to Waterloo Bridge. No one was there. Came out beyond the police barriers, and on the bridge, which was conveniently deserted apart from the police.

Leisurely walk across then met the "Smash Fascists" parade along Strand. Walked with them for a bit and then into a side street for Covent Garden.

Partner is now looking at me with looks of awestruck wonder … no way would Google Maps have been able to do this!

by ohell

30 comments

  3. Jesus, you sound insufferable. Did everyone clap for you when you arrived at the theatre? 

  8. My friend was on the Stand up to Racism counter demo, she said it was very intense and the Tommy fan club did try to get to them.

  11. i’m picturing op as being like ryan gosling in the movie drive

    🎵 i don’t eat, i don’t sleep, i do nothing but think of you

  15. What a massive hard on moment that must have been……congratulations on surviving a pretty much nothing situation.

  16. I have to say, unsurprisingly, just how much I hate how disgusting London looks with all the trash everywhere. It’s always fascinating to me now the crowd that supposedly loves the country most leaves it a complete mess after they’ve walked through it.

  18. Well done man. Please post the full length breakdown on SubStack

  19. Considering there were people from all walks of life, religion and skin colour there I don’t think your ‘mixed skin hues’ would’ve made everyone turn their heads to you. What a load of bs

  20. i don’t have any flags but this was the most boring post i’ve ever read on reddit

  21. Huge contrast between non-locals who are down for the day to throw litter and give the police a kicking, and people who actually know and love this city, isn’t there? 

    Nice move. I must try it sometime. 

  22. They’re not racists because they object to immigration. If you think that is the case that it is why we’re fucked.

  23. How come the “anti facists” are all white middle class and the other side are working class, I admit mainly white aswell but a lot more racially diverse in comparison?

  24. Well done, and I’m really sorry you had to deal with that. I am trying hard to persuade friends, family and colleagues who are drawn in by this charlatanism that it’s a distraction from our real problems, but the crash of this wave is overwhelming.

  26. You weren’t in any danger but with the amount of scaremongering I’ve seen on here and elsewhere I’m not surprised your partner was worried.

    I popped down to Trafalgar Square around 4.30 and seeing as Whitehall was blocked hung around there till it got cold, seeing what was going on. I made a point of speaking to some of the black people in the crowd – there weren’t loads but they were there – asking them if they had any trouble or abuse from anyone. I was assured that they hadn’t and that people had gone out of their way to make them feel welcome, shake their hands etc.

    There were also lots of people of all ethnicities unconnected to either rally or counter protest doing what people do in the West End on a fine Saturday afternoon totally unmolested.

    Glad you had a good day anyway

Comments are closed.