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Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 15:29:02 +0000
From: SchNEWS (schnews@mail.gn.apc.org)
Reply-To: schnews@brighton.co.uk
Subject: SchNEWS 217, Friday 25th June 1999

STONEHENGE 1999

"Excuse me, Mr.Policeman, why are you in riot gear, guarding a load of old stones."

Down came the fence, and in poured the people, heading for the five thousand year old Stone circle. It was nearly two hours before the Cavalry started clearing people out. Private security swung punches and cops dragged people away while all the time a helicopter with spotlight buzzed nosily overhead. Next from the darkness came the riot cops, dog-handlers and the horses, their heads flashing with red-lights, pushing people back out over the fence.

The next few hours were a surreal stand-off as the sunrise began in earnest. Every now and then someone made a dash for it, there was the obligatory naked protest, while others who had managed to clamber onto the relative safety of the stones were joined by people who had been given tickets by English Heritage. About 500 people had gathered now, watching through the lines of riot cops as the sun began its spectacular sun-rise. With the 4 mile Exclusion Zone recently ruled illegal in the High Court, this was the nearest most people had got in years.

Stonehenge means a lot of different things to a lot of people. To some it is a spiritual home - so imagine if you can, being at a church service, surrounded by riot police who every now and then throw someone out who hasn't got a 'ticket'. To others it has been the scene of so many broken bones, arrests and trashed vehicles as the authorities put their foot down hard on the free festival scene.

The next night people again headed for the Stones, but this time even the ticket-holders were banned by English Heritage. As one veteran put it "You don't stop the whole football season because of a twenty minute pitch invasion."

* In 1985 a large convoy of vehicles on their way to Stonehenge were forced into a field and brutually attacked by cops. It has gone down in traveller folklore as the 'Battle of the Beanfield'. For a copy of the video 'Operation Solstice' send £8 inc p+p (cheques made payable to Neil Goodwin) to 37 Nightingale Road, Wanstead, London, E11 2HD. Essential.

* Stonehenge Campaign newsletter Send SAE + donation to 99 Torriano Ave., London, NW5 2RX

* 'Last of the Hippies ' Wally Hope was one of the people who got the Stonehenge Festival going in the early 70's, and met with a very suspicious death - £1 + SAE from DS4A, Box 8, 82 Colston St., Bristol,BS1

road protests 1999   |   road protests (current)   |   movement links