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Sunday, December 12, 2010

Bikers ‘Watching you, watching us!’ - City Hall protest by 'No To Mob' campaign

OFF THE WIRE
by JOSH LOEB
MOTORBIKE protesters angry about parking charges demonstrated outside City Hall on Tuesday night before storming into a public meeting wearing masks, writes Josh Loeb.
Bikers unfurled a banner emblazoned with the words “We are watching you” as part of the protest – the latest move in a campaign by No To Mob.
The group carry out regular “hunts” during which they track down CCTV camera cars used by Westminster City Council’s parking contractor NSL to enforce fines. Riders then stand next to the cars with signs warning motorists that they are being filmed and are at risk of being ticketed.
Steve Baker, who helps run the group, said councils were exploiting road users as “cash cows”.
Cllr Lee Rowley, Westminster council’s cabinet member for parking, said: “The council’s two CCTV cars both have 15ft cameras and large signage to make them clearly visible and easy for motorists to spot, so I’m not sure that this is the best use of the motorcyclists’ time. I have already suggested that if these motorcyclists want to volunteer in Westminster I’d be happy to put them in contact with one of the many hundreds of good causes that would welcome additional support, and that offer still stands.”


Bikers face down City Hall security - No To Mob activists don 'V For Vendetta' masks to protest at council's parking policy


TO City Hall on Tuesday night, where activists from No To Mob – a group that campaigns against the council’s parking policy – enlivened a scrutiny meeting.
Many wore masks from the film V for Vendetta, which is about an uprising against a totalitarian authority (to which the campaigners compare Westminster City Council).
Unfortunately City Hall personnel did little to reassure the West End Extra that such comparisons fly in the face of reality.
They harassed our reporter to try and stop him taking pictures. “We have been told photography is banned,” warned one official – but when asked if he meant it was illegal, the official walked away muttering, “don’t ask me that”.
Another security man said our reporter was a “pain in the arse”, aggressively telling him to put his camera away.
Production of a press card did not assuage his anger. Recording equipment was also removed from bikers who were entering the meeting by a receptionist, drawing protests from the two-wheelers.