Hi Guys, Thanks to everyone that attended the demo the turn out was amazing thousands of you out on the streets again! It was chaotic. Anyway, we made it live on ITV evening news you can see the press coverage here, watch this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHABoVQIbHg Also some fantastic photos from last night are up online, go here to view them http://www.flickr.com/photos/notobikeparkingtax/sets/72157618034282160/ Thank you to Simon Leigh for the shots. THe next demonstration will be on the 9th June 2009. However if anyone is up for it there will be a "mini-demo" possibly happening on Sat 23rd May 2009 (It will not be a go-slow, it will be "fill a major West End Westminster Car Park with bikes" demo). more details to follow about that. So all in all a fantastic demo last night, some things were learnt and the next major one on the 9th June 2009 will be even bigger and better! Thank you for your continued support, we will defeat this parking tax, keep up the pressure and keep spreading the word!
http://nutsville.com/?p=356 Article. Looks like those recent templated emails Chalkley sent out to try and halt today's demo, hoping that companies would "fill in the blanks" has back-fired. The latest email the campaign received was from TAG a delivery firm, their email went something like this: "Dear Chairman, I have noted with interest plans by the group ‘No To Bike Parking Fees’ to cause ‘Monday Mayhem’ on Monday 11th May, and would like to register publicly my support for this mildly-disruptive and proportionate course of action. I am writing in my capacity as Night Manager of Tag Baker Street who have a marginal interest in the effective operation of loading and unloading activity in London. I do feel however, that this protest would cause nothing more than minor disruption to those encountering the protest along the planned route. I should make clear that Tag Baker Street has no comment to make on Westminster City Council’s policy of charging for motorcycle parking. The debate over motorcycle parking is a matter for Westminster City Council and its opponents. However, I completely support the proposals to “lay siege to London” and obstruct traffic in the West End. As graphic suppliers our parcel carriers rely on being able to provide a regular, reliable service to our many clients in the West End. Your proposals present no serious threat to our ability to go about our trade, nor undermine the claims of ‘No To Bike Parking Fees’ to support local business. I urge you to go through with this well-considered and non-aggressive action, should this stealth tax be allowed to continue, it can only damage commerce in the West End and cause harm to businesses that are already facing very difficult times. Yours sincerely, Ian Newton Night Manager Tag @ Baker Street" Plus if you didn't hear about Chalkley's latest attempts to all the demo today and other "dirty tricks" by Westminster Council against the campaign, have a read here: http://www.nutsville.com/ On the back of it here is another article relating to the latest debacle from Westminster "Westminster Labour call for inquiry into Tory council “dirty tricks” campaign" http://www.labourmatters.com/westminster-labour/westminster-labour-call-for-inquiry-into-tory-council-dirty-tricks-campaign/ SEE YOU ALL LATER TODAY, NO MATTER WHAT DO BE THERE, THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SHOW WESTMINSTER THE SHEAR NUMBERS THAT DO NOT WANT THIS, IS FOR YOU TO BE AT THE DEMONSTRATIONS. A reminder, you can either meet at the Ace Cafe at 4pm but if you cannot make that the main event begins between 5:45pm-6:30pm in TRAFALGAR SQUARE. All information including maps, route, times, parking zones etc.. are here http://www.notobikeparkingfees.com/events/ You can see that the demo has been listed on the MET POLICE WEBSITE HERE: http://www.met.police.uk/events/index.htm The Police give their full backing of today's demo.
"Bikers to clog up West End streets" - http://www.londoninformer.co.uk/london-news/london-local-news/2009/05/08/bikers-to-clog-up-west-end-streets-113489-23576178/ Another "Motorbike demonstration planned" http://westminster.londoninformer.co.uk/2009/05/motorbike-demonstration-planne.html (Please comment under the article) And: "Westminster Labour call for inquiry into Tory council “dirty tricks” campaign" - http://www.labourmatters.com/westminster-labour/westminster-labour-call-for-inquiry-into-tory-council-dirty-tricks-campaign/ Other interesting articles about the bike parking tax at http://www.nutsville.com See you all on the 11th May (This coming Monday) we must stand together on this, we can defeat this parking tax. Westminster Council are trying everything they can to stop us, they thought they could brush us aside, but no, we are still here, and will still protest until the parking tax is SCRAPPED. That is the message, it is clear and simple, Danny Chalkley... Take note.
VIEW IT HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I39WKd5M-W4 Hip Hip Hooray for the man in the studio!
Fliers and posters have been added to the site. Including new Penalty Charge Warnings! Which are highly effective! Go here on link below then click on the poster or flier you want download, print off and get out on the street to spread the word! This is the most effective way to spread the word. http://www.notobikeparkingfees.com/download/ Keep the momentum going for the 11th May!