Looking for information

Our local information centre was inundated with armed soldiers at lunch time today - obviously looking for information on what the militia were up to.  This soldier, probably from one of the Pacific Islands, happily posed for me. 

Tonight our wee town turned out to hold a protest at the Army being in our area.  We had placards, water bombs, flour bombs and eggs.  We marched to the entrance of Rec Centre (which is their base), and then the war started.  The plan was to get to the steps of the building.  I decided to go for it, but alas, like the others that did the same, we were man handled (or in my case I was lucky to get caught by a female soldier) and put in the 'compound' for the 'prisoner's'.  They wanted my bag, but I refused to give it to them - instead I agreed that they search it. Then they took my sign.  The Army got a bit violent at times, with several of the 'prisoner's' getting injured and having their clothing torn.

Thirty minutes after the start, it all came to an end, and they let us go - telling us not to come back!

So I can now say I have been involved in a protest - it's something I can tick off my list.  I've no plans of getting involved in one again though. :-)

Have a look at TeeJay's blip for some photo's of the action.