Demotix.com The Network for Freelance Photojournalists 30,000 contributors. 212 territories. Photos. Videos. News.

Tamils take over the streets outside the UK's parliament

Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
01/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the a hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success a group broke free. And the first group soon united with there friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in a nateempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the HOuse of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This was no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
02/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the a hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success a group broke free. And the first group soon united with there friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in a nateempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the HOuse of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This was no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
03/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the a hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success a group broke free. And the first group soon united with there friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in a nateempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the HOuse of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This was no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
04/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the a hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success a group broke free. And the first group soon united with there friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in a nateempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the HOuse of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This was no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
05/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the a hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success a group broke free. And the first group soon united with there friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in a nateempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the HOuse of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This was no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
06/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This was no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
07/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This was no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
08/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
09/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
10/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
11/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
12/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
13/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
14/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
15/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
16/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
17/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
18/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
19/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
20/20
Caption
Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break. The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements. A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police. The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people. For a time it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons. This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself. Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration. Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UK parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament
  • Tamils take over the streets outside the UKs parliament

Thousands of Tamils have staged a sit down protest outside Britain's parliament, April 09.

Thousands of Tamil protesters have staged a sit down protest outside the British parliament as MPs returned to work after their Easter break.

The morning began with the Tamils of all generations penned behind wire caging on the grass in front of parliament. Previously they had been confined to the pavements.

A little before 10am a group of mainly young Tamils challenged the police at the north east corner of the Square. At first they were pushed back by a small number of officers. Then they tried again. This time they broke through. Spilling onto the road. The police tried to maintain control. And for a time, measured in minutes, the one hundred or so demonstrators were held behind police lines. Encouraged by this success another group broke free. And the first group soon united with their friends pushing past the police.

The police, looking for a line to hold, now retreated as hundreds more Tamils poured on the street. The east side of the square was soon filled with people.

At one stage it appeared as if the Tamils might breach parliament itself so the gates were closed and a defensive line was drawn up in an attempt to stop the Tamils entering the south side immediately outside the House of Commons.

This was soon over run and commanders decided to line up outside the Commons itself.

Tamils now flooded into all parts of the square. Barriers were commandeered by them and they began to police their own demonstration.

Within minutes of the breakthrough thousands of Tamils were sitting down in the road chanting for an end to the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the forgotten civil war.

Submitted by
Comments
Join the conversation Login
StevePunter

Thanks everyone

Steve Punter
STEPHEN PUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY
London
UK

Radiostar

Good work. You've really captured the drama and intensity of the demo.

Darrenlehane

Some good dramatic shots Steve - and well done on being there!

StevePunter

Cheers
Thank you
S

Steve Punter
STEPHEN PUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY
London
UK

kmandeng

Great story, looks like it was quite dramatic and fast paced!