There were about 15 of us plus my dog Buddy. We moved about from Vodafone to Burtons and Top Shop etc chanting and loud-hailering messages . Quite a few people new to demo's as was myself. Succeeded in putting some people off shopping with Philip Green and managed to upset the Cleveland Centre staff by taking my dog into the indoors part!
Short-arsed little copper woman reckoned we cant give out leaflets without a permit!!
All in all a good start - roll on next time

I've uploaded some pictures of today to the facebook page

This was a truly inspiring demo with around 15 of us attending. The Police outnumbered Protestors, the Intelligence gatherers erred once again. Wasting honest tax payers money again. They have clearly not been trained in legal constitution as one W.P.C informed us that leafleting was illegal and we were in breach of Council Bylaws. I think her nose grew an inch.

We rushed into Vodaphone and surprised them but after a short time leafletting and occupation we were asked to leave. That was rather a shame as it was lovely and cosy in there. So outside we went, banished into the wintry outdoors. We then stood at the front entrance and continued leafleting and chanting .
It was off to Burtons where there were many chrimbo shoppers hell bent on shopping until they dropped. As they rushed past laden with carrier bags and despite their singular mission , the public showed a genuine interest in our cause as we chanted at the top of our voices and handed out more leaflets.
Finally, to Topshop, the piece de Resistance. Management were expecting us and welcomed us with a line of security guards. We were not going to be playing dressy up today.

It was so lovely to see the folk of Middlesbrough take to the streets with such unyeilding conviction. New faces and old.
May we all carry on the fight and let this just be the first of many demos. Solidarity to everyone there today.
Let us have a meeting in new Year to keep up the momentum.`

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57185286@N07/5271772580/

i couldn't manage to upload the photo album to the gallery.

I made a complaint about the policewoman in Central Middesbrough who reckoned we couldnt give out leaflets. Apart from Not being a police matter - its the local council's responsibility - she was totally wrong. The licensing dept. at the council have confirmed that leafletting for political reasons does not require a license / permit!! Nice one. I've been assured by the policewoman's Inspector that she is being dealt with on Wednesday!

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