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07/04/2009
Westminster Bridge Closed In Tamil Protest
Police have closed Westminster Bridge in London in an attempt to contain thousands of Tamil protestors who are demanding a ceasefire in Sri Lanka.
Minor scuffles broke out as officers moved the demonstrators, who had camped out overnight, off the road and into the centre of Parliament Square.
One man was also rescued after jumping from the bridge and was taken to hospital. His condition is not believed to be serious.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers were trying to minimise disruption to others by moving the demonstrators off the roads and onto the green outside Parliament.
Scotland Yard estimated that up to 3,000 people occupied the streets around the area. Westminster tube station was closed by police.
A spokeswoman added the protest was peaceful and there have been no arrests so far.
She said: "Police are continuing to attempt to negotiate with the organisers of the demonstration to facilitate their protest and to minimise disruption to all of London’s communities."
Some of the protestors, including women and children, are waving flags bearing a Tamil emblem.
The UN claims 150,000 people are trapped in Sri Lanka's northern war zone while Tamil's say they are the victims of human rights abuses.
The country’s government has rejected calls for a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebel group, who want independence.
Under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, it is illegal to stage an unauthorised demonstration within the vicinity of Parliament.
The protest has been going on since 4pm on Monday, and at its peak as many as 3,000 people had gathered in the shadows of Big Ben.
(JM/BMcC)
Minor scuffles broke out as officers moved the demonstrators, who had camped out overnight, off the road and into the centre of Parliament Square.
One man was also rescued after jumping from the bridge and was taken to hospital. His condition is not believed to be serious.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers were trying to minimise disruption to others by moving the demonstrators off the roads and onto the green outside Parliament.
Scotland Yard estimated that up to 3,000 people occupied the streets around the area. Westminster tube station was closed by police.
A spokeswoman added the protest was peaceful and there have been no arrests so far.
She said: "Police are continuing to attempt to negotiate with the organisers of the demonstration to facilitate their protest and to minimise disruption to all of London’s communities."
Some of the protestors, including women and children, are waving flags bearing a Tamil emblem.
The UN claims 150,000 people are trapped in Sri Lanka's northern war zone while Tamil's say they are the victims of human rights abuses.
The country’s government has rejected calls for a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebel group, who want independence.
Under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, it is illegal to stage an unauthorised demonstration within the vicinity of Parliament.
The protest has been going on since 4pm on Monday, and at its peak as many as 3,000 people had gathered in the shadows of Big Ben.
(JM/BMcC)
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