As I was wandering the streets today, I noticed that there were an unusual number of policemen lounging about. When I asked at the hostel, I was told that November 17th is the anniversary of a famous student uprising in 1973 against the military junta of the time. A demo was planned later on!
I haven't been to many protest marches so it was interesting to see this at close quarters. It was all pretty good natured, though the activists at the front of the march were fairly worked up and certainly looked the business.
I got down to the Parliament building pretty much at the march began. By then there were hundreds of police and army about surrounding the Parliament building, all in riot gear...just in case, as one shop-keeper told me!
When are we going to see some action Sarg?
I haven't been to many protest marches so it was interesting to see this at close quarters. It was all pretty good natured, though the activists at the front of the march were fairly worked up and certainly looked the business.
Banner after banner came through, each with a separate group of supporters, chanting together. Many thousands - possibly tens of thousands - in all.
I was about to head back when I saw an old tramp-like figure, burdened down with big plastic bags, who appeared to be heading into the fray.
Fortunately he stopped at the edge of the march and, in a rather touching gesture, proceeded to doff his cap and salute the protesters!
Maybe he was involved in the events of 1973?
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