Posted on 04/23/2005 11:56:27 AM PDT by Betaille
Britain
February 17, 2005
Oil on troubled waters: a protester is led to a bus requisitioned by police to hold them (RICHARD POHLE)
Kyoto protest beaten back by inflamed petrol traders By Laura Peek and Liz Chong
WHEN 35 Greenpeace protesters stormed the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) yesterday they had planned the operation in great detail. What they were not prepared for was the post-prandial aggression of oil traders who kicked and punched them back on to the pavement.
“We bit off more than we could chew. They were just Cockney barrow boy spivs. Total thugs,” one protester said, rubbing his bruised skull. “I’ve never seen anyone less amenable to listening to our point of view.”
Another said: “I took on a Texan Swat team at Esso last year and they were angels compared with this lot.” Behind him, on the balcony of the pub opposite the IPE, a bleary-eyed trader, pint in hand, yelled: “Sod off, Swampy.”
Greenpeace had hoped to paralyse oil trading at the exchange in the City near Tower Bridge on the day that the Kyoto Protocol came into force. “The Kyoto Protocol has modest aims to improve the climate and we need huge aims,” a spokesman said.
Protesters conceded that mounting the operation after lunch may not have been the best plan. “The violence was instant,” Jon Beresford, 39, an electrical engineer from Nottingham, said.
“They grabbed us and started kicking and punching. Then when we were on the floor they tried to push huge filing cabinets on top of us to crush us.” When a trader left the building shortly before 2pm, using a security swipe card, a protester dropped some coins on the floor and, as he bent down to pick them up, put his boot in the door to keep it open.
Two minutes later, three Greenpeace vans pulled up and another 30 protesters leapt out and were let in by the others.
They made their way to the trading floor, blowing whistles and sounding fog horns, encountering little resistance from security guards. Rape alarms were tied to helium balloons to float to the ceiling and create noise out of reach. The IPE conducts “open outcry” trading where deals are shouted across the pit. By making so much noise, the protesters hoped to paralyse trading.
But they were set upon by traders, most of whom were under the age of 25. “They were kicking and punching men and women indiscriminately,” a photographer said. “It was really ugly, but Greenpeace did not fight back.”
Mr Beresford said: “They followed the guys into the lobby and kept kicking and punching them there. They literally kicked them on to the pavement.”
Last night Greenpeace said two protesters were in hospital, one with a suspected broken jaw, the other with concussion.
I love it! LOL
These protestors made a BIG mistake
These idiots probably never read a geology book in their lives -- climatic change has not stopped since mother earth was invented. Ice ages, anyone? But don't confuse these mentally challeged liberals with scientific fact...
And certainly don't get between a petro-trader and his handsome oil profits --- :-) -- this is what happens! Black gold rules!
“We bit off more than we could chew. They were just Cockney barrow boy spivs. Total thugs,” one protester said, rubbing his bruised skull. “I’ve never seen anyone less amenable to listening to our point of view.”
Barrow boy spivs?
Isn't this anti-social behavour?
“I’ve never seen anyone less amenable to listening to our point of view.”
Get used to it swampy!
That is a good story ...
"They were just Cockney barrow boy spivs. Total thugs,”
I'm sure these Greepeaceniks went the Ox-Bridge and are totally horrified with idea of people actually fighting back at their antics.
Well now you have.
A nice story with a happy ending.
Thanks
A very touching and heartwarming story. Thanks!
Yes... i'm lifting weights and practicing on a punching bag for the day these guys try to get into my office.
How did these protesters get to take time off from their jobs to engage in this activity?
What's that? They don't have jobs? Then who feeds them and pays their travel expenses?
George who?
"Kyoto protest beaten back by inflamed petrol traders By Laura Peek and Liz Chong"
Be inflamed.
"WHEN 35 Greenpeace protesters stormed the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) yesterday they had planned the operation in great detail."
No amount of planning stalls a determined faction.
“I’ve never seen anyone less amenable to listening to our point of view.”
When your position is thought through, there is no other view.
"Behind him, on the balcony of the pub opposite the IPE, a bleary-eyed trader, pint in hand, ... "
When the job is done ... go have a beer.
“The violence was instant,” Jon Beresford, 39, an electrical engineer from Nottingham, said."
Be instant, trust well trained reflexes and judgement(s)
“They grabbed us and started kicking and punching. Then when we were on the floor they tried to push huge filing cabinets on top of us to crush us.”
Remeber to bring an equalizer ... if you forget, something will be handy.
"They made their way to the trading floor, blowing whistles and sounding fog horns, encountering little resistance from security guards. Rape alarms were tied to helium balloons to float to the ceiling and create noise out of reach. The IPE conducts “open outcry” trading where deals are shouted across the pit. By making so much noise, the protesters hoped to paralyse trading. But they were set upon by traders, most of whom were under the age of 25. “They were kicking and punching men and women indiscriminately,” a photographer said. “It was really ugly, but Greenpeace did not fight back.”
Flashbangs can be overcome.
"Mr Beresford said: “They followed the guys into the lobby and kept kicking and punching them there. They literally kicked them on to the pavement.”
Don't stop 'til the job is done.
Although I love this story, can anyone more familliar with British colloquialisms tell me if "swampy" is a common perjorative for lefties or something? And what does "sod off" specifically mean anyway? Thanks!
Can we give these kids some kind of award or something?
Perhaps the annual "Sod off Swampy" award?
Does anybody have any pictures of this event?
I looked up "swampy" at urbandictionary.com but am not sure if any of these definitions fit.
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