London's street party kicks off
Source: Agencies |
August 29, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
REVELLERS packed London's streets yesterday for one of Europe's biggest street parties with record numbers of police on duty to make sure there was no repetition of riots that scarred the UK capital three weeks ago.
The Notting Hill carnival, an annual two-day celebration of Caribbean culture that usually attracts about 1 million people, got under way in a relaxed atmosphere in west London.
The festival carries more than usual significance this year because it is the biggest event in London since riots flared in the capital earlier this month, spreading to other major English cities.
Reflecting nerves after the UK's worst violence in decades, some businesses and homeowners boarded up their properties. But Ahmed Said, 25, who sells Palestinian food from his Maramia Cafe, was determined to open for business.
"We are open and there won't be any trouble. I feel it in my heart and from the people 100 percent. It is a beautiful day and everyone is smiling," he said. "In any case, we have a lot of support from the police."
On the opening "children's day," crowds lined the streets to watch a procession of lorries carrying children with painted faces in flamboyant costumes.
The police kept a relatively low profile, patrolling in pairs or on bicycles, but thousands were available in case of trouble. Police said 5,500 officers were on duty yesterday and 6,500 today, a public holiday, when the main parade takes place. Another 4,000 are on stand-by.
Louisa Davis, 82, a long-time resident of the area who has been coming to the carnival since 1965, said she was not too happy the carnival had gone ahead this year.
"It's children's day today so that's OK," she said, "but tomorrow is for the grown-ups, so there might be trouble … and it is not people from round here that cause it normally, it is people from outside."
In the past, the event has been marred by shootings, stabbings, drug-dealing and arrests, although it has been largely peaceful in recent years.
The Notting Hill carnival, an annual two-day celebration of Caribbean culture that usually attracts about 1 million people, got under way in a relaxed atmosphere in west London.
The festival carries more than usual significance this year because it is the biggest event in London since riots flared in the capital earlier this month, spreading to other major English cities.
Reflecting nerves after the UK's worst violence in decades, some businesses and homeowners boarded up their properties. But Ahmed Said, 25, who sells Palestinian food from his Maramia Cafe, was determined to open for business.
"We are open and there won't be any trouble. I feel it in my heart and from the people 100 percent. It is a beautiful day and everyone is smiling," he said. "In any case, we have a lot of support from the police."
On the opening "children's day," crowds lined the streets to watch a procession of lorries carrying children with painted faces in flamboyant costumes.
The police kept a relatively low profile, patrolling in pairs or on bicycles, but thousands were available in case of trouble. Police said 5,500 officers were on duty yesterday and 6,500 today, a public holiday, when the main parade takes place. Another 4,000 are on stand-by.
Louisa Davis, 82, a long-time resident of the area who has been coming to the carnival since 1965, said she was not too happy the carnival had gone ahead this year.
"It's children's day today so that's OK," she said, "but tomorrow is for the grown-ups, so there might be trouble … and it is not people from round here that cause it normally, it is people from outside."
In the past, the event has been marred by shootings, stabbings, drug-dealing and arrests, although it has been largely peaceful in recent years.
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